SRINAGAR: The Government of India on Saturday said it has intensified preparedness across key sectors, including energy supply, maritime operations and citizen support, in view of the evolving situation in West Asia and the ongoing disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
In a detailed update, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said adequate measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol, diesel and LPG across the country, while urging citizens to avoid panic buying and rely only on official information.
The government announced that 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders are available at LPG distributors upon production of any valid identity proof, with no requirement for address documentation.
More than 71,000 such 5 kg cylinders were sold on Friday, taking the cumulative distribution to around 5.7 lakh units since March 23. Officials said the move is aimed at improving access, particularly for migrant workers and other transient populations.
Around 51 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered across the country on the day, with online bookings accounting for 95 per cent of total transactions. Delivery authentication compliance has also risen significantly, helping curb diversion.
The government said it has prioritised LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) supply for domestic consumers, hospitals and educational institutions. Measures have been taken to boost refinery output, rationalise booking cycles and promote alternative fuels such as kerosene, coal and electric cooking options.
States and Union Territories have been directed to ensure strict monitoring of supply chains, prevent hoarding and black marketing, and conduct daily press briefings to counter misinformation. More than 3,700 enforcement raids were carried out on Friday, with over 1,000 show-cause notices issued to LPG distributors so far and 27 distributorships suspended.
Commercial LPG allocation has been set at 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, while over 72,000 metric tonnes have been supplied since mid-March. Gas supply to key sectors such as transport (CNG) and domestic PNG continues at full capacity, while industrial supplies remain regulated.
The government also announced that gas supply to fertiliser plants will be scaled up to around 90 per cent of the recent average consumption from April 6, alongside incremental increases for other industrial users.
Efforts to expand PNG infrastructure have been accelerated, with over 3.5 lakh new connections activated since March and additional approvals being fast-tracked.
Amid a spike in global crude prices due to the West Asia crisis, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre to shield consumers. Export levies have also been imposed on diesel and aviation turbine fuel to maintain domestic availability.
Authorities reiterated that retail fuel outlets across the country are operating normally and that adequate stocks are available.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said all Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents reported in the past 24 hours. A total of 17 Indian vessels with 460 seafarers are currently operating in the western Persian Gulf.
An LPG carrier successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of cargo, while port operations across Indian states continue without disruption.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions across West Asia are operating round-the-clock helplines and maintaining close contact with the Indian community.
Over 6.75 lakh passengers have travelled from the region to India since late February, with evacuation and transit arrangements continuing through alternative routes due to airspace restrictions in several countries.
A group of Indian fishermen stranded in Iran is expected to return home later on Saturday, while assistance is being extended to those affected by recent incidents in the region.
The government reiterated that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring energy security, maritime safety and the welfare of Indian nationals abroad.
