‘Difficult situation’: Government updates LPG supply situation, urges citizens to avoid panic bookings

New Delhi: Public concerns are growing over possible shortage of LPG and other fuels, but the Center has assured that there is no reason to panic. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil supplies during the ongoing US-Israeli war. The government says citizens should avoid panic booking and save fuel during these uncertain times.Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, told a press conference: “There has been a huge increase in bookings due to panic. We urge citizens to avoid panic bookings and in these uncertain times globally, all efforts must be made to save fuel.”

Sharma also said that the nationwide retail network is running smoothly, with nearly 100,000 gas stations in operation and no fuel shortages. She added that about 25,000 LPG distributors supply about 5 million bottles of LPG every day to ensure uninterrupted use by households.Commercial LPG supply is given to hospitals and educational institutions on priority basis, with a three-member committee comprising executive directors from oil marketing companies overseeing distribution to prevent hoarding or black marketing.Sharma also added that Indian refineries are maximizing LPG production.“Yesterday I told you 25%. Now it’s 28% of our domestic production. So that’s growth,” she said, referring to the government’s March 9 order under the Essential Commodities Act directing refineries to maximize LPG production.She pointed out that India is the world’s fourth-largest oil refiner, processing nearly 55 million barrels of oil per day, providing an important buffer against global shocks.Sharma said that despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy transport, the government’s intervention ensured that imports continued through alternative routes.“Today is the 13th day of the war and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is closed. This is very important in the context that we do import a lot of goods from the Strait of Hormuz. Although after government intervention, as today, more than 70% of our imports are through routes other than the Strait of Hormuz,” she said.To ease pressure on LPG and natural gas channels, the government has also stepped up the supply of alternative fuels.Allocation of kerosene to states is increasing and allocation of coal to small and medium consumers is expanding. The environment ministry has recommended that the state pollution board temporarily allow restaurants and hotels to use biomass, RDF pellets, kerosene or coal for a month.Day-to-day coordination between oil marketing companies and state governments continues to ensure stable supply, monitor demand patterns and enforce regulations. District-level committees are tasked with preventing diversion, hoarding and misuse of fuel stocks.