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India Assures Stable Fuel Supply Amid West Asia Tensions; LPG Panic Booking Surges
Summary: India reassures citizens there is no petrol or diesel shortage despite rising tensions in West Asia. However, panic LPG bookings have surged across the country, prompting the government to urge calm while intensifying monitoring of fuel supply, maritime routes and Indian nationals in the Gulf.
New Delhi, March 14, 2026: The Government of India has reassured citizens that petrol and diesel supplies remain fully stable across the country, even as geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz region continue to raise concerns about global energy security.
During the fourth inter-ministerial media briefing held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, senior officials from multiple ministries shared detailed updates on fuel availability, maritime safety, and the welfare of Indian nationals in the Gulf region.
The briefing included representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Officials emphasised that India is closely monitoring the evolving situation and has already activated contingency measures to ensure uninterrupted energy supply and public safety.
India Fully Self-Sufficient in Petrol and Diesel
According to officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, all oil refineries across the country are operating at high utilisation levels and maintaining sufficient crude oil reserves.
Authorities highlighted that India is currently self-reliant in the production of petrol and diesel, meaning no imports are required to meet domestic demand.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) also confirmed that no fuel dry-outs have been reported at retail fuel stations anywhere in the country.
The government has therefore urged citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol or diesel, stressing that supply chains remain stable and distribution is functioning normally.
Natural Gas Supply Prioritised for Essential Sectors
To safeguard critical energy needs, the government has ensured full supply of natural gas to priority sectors, including:
- Domestic PNG (Piped Natural Gas) connections
- CNG fuel stations
- Public transportation systems
However, as a precautionary measure, industrial and commercial gas consumers are currently receiving around 80% of their usual supply.
State-owned gas major GAIL has also held consultations with City Gas Distribution companies operating in major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kanpur and Jaipur.
These companies have been advised to accelerate installation of commercial PNG connections in hotels and restaurants in order to reduce pressure on LPG demand.
LPG Demand Surges as Panic Booking Increases
While the government confirmed that LPG cylinders remain available nationwide, officials acknowledged that panic booking by consumers has significantly increased demand in recent days.
Daily LPG bookings jumped from an average of 55.7 lakh bookings to nearly 88.8 lakh bookings in just one day, reflecting public concern over possible supply disruptions.
Authorities clarified that no LPG distributor across the country has reported a stock outage so far, but precautionary steps have been introduced to stabilise the distribution cycle.
These include:
- Increasing the minimum refill booking interval to 25 days in urban areas
- Extending booking intervals to up to 45 days in rural regions
- Ensuring commercial LPG cylinders remain available in 29 states and Union Territories
- Encouraging digital LPG bookings, which now account for around 84% of total reservations
Strong Enforcement Against Hoarding and Black Marketing
State governments have been directed to strictly monitor fuel distribution networks to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
Several enforcement operations have already been carried out across multiple states.
Key actions include:
- Uttar Pradesh: 1,483 inspections conducted, 24 FIRs registered and 6 individuals arrested
- Maharashtra and Rajasthan: joint raids conducted by Food and Civil Supplies departments and oil companies
- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Karnataka: inspections carried out at LPG distribution points
Additionally, public sector oil companies conducted around 1,300 inspections at LPG distributorships in a single day.
Officials said enforcement drives will continue to ensure fair distribution and prevent illegal stockpiling.
Government Introduces Measures to Reduce LPG Pressure
To stabilise supply for households, the government has implemented several temporary policy measures.
These include:
- Increasing LPG production at refineries by around 31%
- Allocating 48,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene to states
- Allowing industries in the Delhi-NCR region to temporarily use biomass or RDF pellets instead of natural gas
- Permitting use of coal or kerosene where alternative fuels are unavailable
The hospitality sector has also been encouraged to switch to alternative fuel sources wherever possible to reduce LPG demand.
Indian Ships and Seafarers Safe in the Persian Gulf
Officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that no new maritime incident involving Indian seafarers has been reported in the past 24 hours.
At present:
- 22 Indian-flagged vessels remain in the Persian Gulf region
- These ships carry around 611 Indian seafarers
Two Indian LPG carriers - Shivalik and Nanda Devi - successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday morning.
The vessels are scheduled to arrive at:
- Mundra Port on March 16
- Kandla Port on March 17
To support maritime workers, the Directorate General of Shipping has activated a 24×7 control room.
Over the past 15 days, the centre has handled more than 2,700 calls and nearly 5,000 emails from seafarers, families and maritime stakeholders.
India Monitoring Safety of Citizens in Gulf Region
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India remains actively engaged with regional and international stakeholders, including Gulf nations, Iran, the United States and Israel.
India has consistently called for de-escalation of tensions and protection of critical energy infrastructure.
Since the conflict escalated:
- Around 1.72 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia
- Air connectivity from Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar is gradually improving
Indian missions across the region continue to operate round-the-clock helplines, assisting citizens with visa issues, travel arrangements and emergency support.
Government Warns Public Against Fake News
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also cautioned citizens against misleading messages and AI-generated videos circulating on social media regarding fuel shortages.
Authorities urged the public to rely only on official government sources and verified updates.
Consumers have been encouraged to book LPG cylinders using digital methods such as IVRS, SMS, WhatsApp or mobile apps, instead of visiting distributors physically.
India Continues Close Monitoring of Situation
The government reiterated that it is continuously monitoring developments in West Asia and coordinating across ministries to ensure energy security, maritime safety and the welfare of Indian citizens abroad.
Officials emphasised that adequate measures are already in place to maintain fuel supply, stabilise LPG distribution and protect national interests during the evolving geopolitical situation.
FAQ
Is there a petrol shortage in India right now?
No. The government has confirmed that petrol and diesel supplies remain stable and India is self-sufficient in production.
Why are LPG bookings increasing in India?
Bookings have surged due to panic buying triggered by concerns over the West Asia conflict.
Are Indian ships safe near the Strait of Hormuz?
Yes. Authorities reported no new maritime incidents and Indian vessels are being closely monitored.
How many Indians have returned from the Gulf recently?
Around 1.72 lakh passengers have returned to India since the crisis began.
What should consumers do about LPG cylinders?
Consumers should avoid panic booking and use digital platforms such as IVRS, SMS or mobile apps to book LPG cylinders.
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