India Monitors West Asia Situation While Maintaining Domestic Fuel and Gas Supplies

The Government of India has issued an update outlining measures to maintain energy supply, maritime safety and support for Indian citizens as the situation in West Asia continues to evolve. According to the latest government briefing, authorities are closely monitoring developments while coordinating across ministries to ensure the availability of petroleum products, stable port operations and assistance for Indians in the region. Officials emphasised that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG are available nationwide and urged the public not to respond to rumours with panic buying.

Government Measures to Maintain Energy Supply

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that all domestic refineries are operating at full capacity and that crude oil stocks remain sufficient to meet national demand. Domestic production of LPG has also been increased to support consumption.

Retail fuel outlets across India are operating normally. The government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by INR 10 per litre, while export duties of INR 21.5 per litre on diesel and INR 29.5 per litre on aviation turbine fuel have been imposed to prioritise domestic availability.

Authorities reported isolated instances of unusually high fuel purchases in some areas due to misinformation, but reiterated that supply remains stable nationwide. Citizens have been advised to rely on official information and avoid panic buying.

Natural Gas and City Gas Distribution Expansion

Natural gas allocation has prioritised households and transport, with piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for mobility receiving full supply. Industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid are currently receiving gas equivalent to about 80% of their average consumption.

Supply to operating urea plants has stabilised at around 70–75% of the average consumption over the past six months. Additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) and regasified LNG cargoes are being arranged to maintain supply and ensure the smooth functioning of gas pipelines.

The government is also accelerating the expansion of city gas distribution networks to encourage a shift from LPG to PNG, particularly for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens. Regulatory and administrative measures have been introduced to speed up approvals for new pipeline infrastructure and connections.

In March alone, more than 290,000 new gas connections were provided across categories including households, hostels, canteens and community kitchens. These measures support broader efforts to modernise India’s infrastructure and strengthen economic resilience, complementing wider initiatives shaping the country’s technology-driven growth, including policies highlighted in India’s budget strategy for AI, semiconductors and IT development.

LPG, Kerosene and Alternative Fuel Measures

Although global conditions have affected LPG supply chains, officials report that domestic cylinder deliveries remain normal and distributors have not reported shortages. Online bookings recently rose sharply, increasing by around 94% in a single day.

To maintain distribution integrity, delivery authentication through a delivery authentication code system has increased significantly. More than 5.5 million LPG refills were delivered in a single day during the latest reporting period.

The government has also increased allocations of commercial LPG to sectors such as restaurants, food processing, community kitchens and certain industries. In addition, states and union territories have been given an extra allocation of 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene to provide supplementary energy options where needed.

State Governments Asked to Strengthen Market Oversight

Under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and the LPG Control Order 2000, state governments are responsible for monitoring supply and preventing hoarding or black marketing. Authorities have been urged to conduct regular inspections, establish control rooms and issue daily public briefings to counter misinformation.

Enforcement agencies have already carried out roughly 2,900 inspections across several states, seizing about 1,000 LPG cylinders in recent operations. Oil marketing companies have also conducted more than 1,200 surprise inspections of retail outlets and distributor facilities to ensure compliance.

Maritime Operations and Shipping Safety

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reported that port operations across India remain normal with no congestion. State maritime boards in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have confirmed smooth operations.

Two LPG carriers transporting a combined cargo of about 94,000 metric tonnes are currently sailing safely towards India. The vessel BW TYR is expected to reach Mumbai on 31 March 2026, while BW ELM is scheduled to arrive in New Mangalore on 1 April 2026.

In the western Persian Gulf region, 18 Indian-flagged ships and 485 Indian seafarers remain present. The Directorate General of Shipping is monitoring their safety in coordination with shipowners, maritime agencies and Indian embassies.

Support for Indian Citizens in the Region

The Ministry of External Affairs continues to track developments closely while maintaining regular contact with Indian communities in West Asia and the Gulf. Missions and embassies are operating 24-hour helplines and coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance.

Since 28 February, approximately 524,000 passengers have returned to India from the region. Flight services continue to operate through various routes depending on airspace availability, with alternative travel arrangements provided where necessary.

Indian missions are also supporting seafarers, students and other citizens with visa, consular and logistical assistance. Officials noted that maintaining economic stability and resilient infrastructure during external disruptions remains a national priority, alongside longer-term initiatives such as building a strong and inclusive national AI ecosystem.

Authorities reiterated that fuel supplies remain adequate across the country and urged citizens to conserve energy, rely on digital booking systems for LPG cylinders and follow official updates rather than unverified information circulating on social media.