The Government of India, on March 12, said fuel supplies across the country remain stable despite disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Officials urged citizens not to panic or indulge in panic booking of LPG cylinders, assuring that adequate stocks are available and supply chains are functioning.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting briefed the media in New Delhi on measures taken to manage the impact of the crisis.
Officials said Indian refineries are operating at high-capacity utilisation and, in some cases, above 100%. The country currently consumes about 5.5 million barrels of crude oil daily and sources crude from more than 40 countries. About 70% of the crude now comes through routes other than the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed to commercial shipping due to the conflict.
India, the world's fourth-largest refining hub, operates 22 refineries and has nearly one lakh retail fuel outlets across the country. Officials said all outlets remain functional with adequate stocks.
LPG supply and fuel management
The government said it is taking multiple steps to maintain the LPG supply. Around 50 lakh cylinders are being delivered every day across the country.
India imports about 60% of its LPG needs, and nearly 90% of that supply usually comes through the Strait of Hormuz. To address disruptions, the government issued an LPG Control Order on March 9 directing refineries to maximise LPG output.
As a result, domestic LPG production has increased by 28% in the last five days. Authorities said more than 25,000 distributors across the country are closely monitoring stock levels, and no "dry out" situations have been reported.
Officials added that bookings have surged due to panic buying. Citizens have been urged to avoid panic booking and cooperate with authorities during the period of global uncertainty.
Ports, shipping, and safety measures
The government also said port operations across India remain stable. Major ports have been directed to prioritise berthing for LPG vessels and facilitate cargo movement through additional storage, faster processing, and coordination with customs authorities.
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According to the shipping ministry, 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region with 778 Indian seafarers onboard. Authorities are closely monitoring their safety.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian missions in the region are in regular contact with the Indian community and are assisting people with commercial flight options and visas where necessary.
Officials also appealed to citizens and the media to avoid spreading misinformation and rumours related to the crisis.
