Government Holds Fourth Inter-Ministerial Briefing on West Asia Situation; Assures Uninterrupted LPG Supply
Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — carrying 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, are expected to reach India on March 16 and March 17 respectively
The Government of India on Saturday held the fourth inter-ministerial media briefing at the National Media Centre to update the public on developments arising from the evolving situation in West Asia and its possible impact on energy supplies, maritime operations and Indian nationals in the region.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Information and Broadcasting participated in the briefing.
The government emphasised that its highest priority is ensuring uninterrupted domestic LPG supply and maintaining stability in fuel availability across the country.
Adequate Fuel Supplies, No Panic Buying Needed
Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all refineries in the country are operating at high levels and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories.
India is currently self-sufficient in petrol and diesel production, and no imports are required to meet domestic demand. Oil Marketing Companies have reported no fuel dry-outs at retail outlets.
The government advised citizens not to indulge in panic buying as sufficient fuel stocks are available.
Surge in LPG Bookings
Authorities noted a surge in LPG bookings driven by panic buying. Daily bookings increased from an average 55.7 lakh to 88.8 lakh recently.
Despite the spike in demand, officials confirmed that:
- No LPG distributorship has reported supply shortages.
- Digital bookings account for 84% of LPG refill requests.
- Commercial LPG cylinders have been made available in 29 States and Union Territories to support priority distribution.
To manage demand pressure, the government has increased LPG production by around 31%.
Citizens have been urged to book LPG cylinders using digital platforms such as IVRS, SMS, WhatsApp and mobile apps instead of visiting dealerships physically.
State Governments Intensify Monitoring
State governments and Union Territories have intensified monitoring of fuel supply and distribution.
- 17 States/UTs have established control rooms to monitor essential commodity supply.
- Enforcement drives have been conducted to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
In Uttar Pradesh, enforcement teams inspected 1,483 locations, registered 24 FIRs, arrested six individuals, and initiated prosecution against 19 people.
Joint inspections by state authorities and Oil Marketing Companies have also been conducted in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states.
Maritime Operations Continue Amid Hormuz Concerns
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said maritime operations remain stable despite the security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz.
Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — crossed the Strait early Saturday morning carrying 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG. The vessels are expected to reach Mundra Port on March 16 and Kandla Port on March 17.
Currently:
- 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers are operating in the Persian Gulf region.
- No new incidents involving Indian seafarers have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Ports across India have been instructed to give priority berthing to LPG vessels to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.
Safety of Indian Nationals
The Ministry of External Affairs said the government remains in constant contact with countries in the Gulf region, including GCC nations, Iran, the United States and Israel, to ensure safe maritime transit and energy flows.
Since February 28, around 1.72 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region amid the ongoing conflict.
Indian missions have also assisted several stranded nationals with visa extensions, transit arrangements and evacuation support.
However, officials confirmed that five Indian nationals have lost their lives in earlier incidents, while one person remains missing.
Adequate Fertiliser Stocks for Kharif 2026
The government also reassured farmers that fertiliser stocks are sufficient for the upcoming Kharif 2026 season.
Officials said:
- Urea stocks are higher than last year.
- DAP stocks are nearly double.
- NPK stocks are also significantly higher.
Domestic urea production is expected to exceed consumption as the Rabi season concludes.
Advisory Against Misinformation
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting warned that fake information and AI-generated videos are being circulated on social media regarding fuel shortages.
Citizens have been urged to rely only on official government sources for verified information.
The government reiterated that it is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and coordinating across ministries to safeguard energy security, maritime trade and the welfare of Indian citizens.
