New Delhi: The Central government on Monday said there is no shortage of fuel or domestic gas in the country and assured that supply of LPG, PNG and CNG remains fully stable despite the evolving situation in West Asia.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said it has ensured uninterrupted availability of domestic cooking gas, piped natural gas for households and compressed natural gas for transport across all regions.
Officials said priority is being given to essential sectors, including hospitals and educational institutions, for the supply of commercial LPG. At the same time, distribution of 5-kilogram LPG cylinders used by migrant workers has been increased to meet rising demand.
According to official data, more than 14.3 lakh such small cylinders have been sold since March 23. During the same period, gas supply has been extended to about 4.40 lakh PNG connections, while nearly 4.88 lakh new consumers have registered for connections.
Authorities said port operations related to fuel imports and handling continue without disruption, and there are no reports of congestion or delays.
Measures to balance demand and supply
The Petroleum Ministry said several steps have been taken to maintain balance between supply and demand.
These include increasing output from refineries and revising LPG booking intervals. In urban areas, the booking gap has been extended from 21 to 25 days, while in rural areas it has been stretched up to 45 days to manage distribution efficiently.
Officials said gas allocation has also been prioritised based on regional demand patterns.
To reduce pressure on LPG consumption, alternative fuel options such as kerosene and coal are being made available through state channels.
The Coal Ministry has also directed Coal India and Singareni Collieries to supply additional coal to states for distribution among small and medium users.
Monitoring and enforcement
The government said enforcement agencies are actively monitoring supply chains to prevent hoarding and black-marketing.
On April 13 alone, more than 2,950 inspections and raids were carried out across the country as part of this effort.
Officials said strict action will be taken against violations to ensure fair distribution of essential fuels.
International coordination
The government is also engaging with partner countries to assess the evolving situation in West Asia and its possible impact on energy supplies.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held discussions with counterparts from Kuwait, Israel, Singapore and Australia as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach.
Advisory to citizens
The government has urged citizens not to resort to panic buying, stating that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG are available.
Consumers have been advised to use digital platforms for LPG booking instead of visiting distributors physically. Authorities also encouraged the use of alternative energy sources such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops where possible.
Officials said Indian missions abroad are operating round-the-clock helplines to assist citizens overseas if required.
The government said it continues to monitor the situation closely and will take further steps if needed to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel and essential energy resources.
