Amid evolving geopolitical developments in West Asia, the government on Friday said over 2,447 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated from the Gulf region so far, including 30 in the past 24 hours, while domestic LPG supplies remain stable with more than 50.5 lakh cylinders delivered in a single day.
At an inter-ministerial media briefing held at the National Media Centre, officials from key ministries outlined measures to ensure energy security, safeguard Indian nationals abroad, and maintain supply chains despite disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Seafarers safe, maritime operations stable
The government said all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, with no incidents reported involving Indian-flagged vessels in the last 24 hours. Authorities have facilitated the return of 2,447 seafarers, with continued coordination between ministries, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders.
Port operations across India remain normal, and the DG Shipping control room has handled thousands of calls and queries since activation, reflecting ongoing assistance efforts.
Fuel supply remains steady, public urged to avoid panic buying
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas assured that supplies of petrol, diesel, LPG, PNG, and CNG remain uninterrupted across the country. Citizens have been advised against panic buying and urged to rely on official information.
More than 50.5 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered on April 16, with no shortages reported. Authorities said domestic supply has been prioritised, while commercial LPG allocation has been maintained at around 70% of pre-crisis levels.
To curb hoarding and black marketing, over 2,900 raids were conducted recently, with penalties imposed on 255 LPG distributors and 65 distributorships suspended.
PNG expansion gains momentum
As part of efforts to reduce dependence on LPG, the government reported that about 4.68 lakh PNG connections have been activated since March 2026, while 5.23 lakh new customers have registered. Around 37,000 consumers have voluntarily surrendered LPG connections.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies are offering incentives to promote PNG adoption, especially among commercial users such as hotels and restaurants.
Retail fuel prices stable despite global volatility
Despite rising crude oil prices due to the West Asia situation, retail prices of petrol and diesel remain unchanged at PSU outlets. The government has reduced excise duty by ₹10 per litre to shield consumers and increased export levies on diesel and ATF to ensure domestic availability.
Refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude stocks, and additional measures have been taken to support critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
Indian nationals assisted, flights continue
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is closely monitoring the situation and assisting Indian nationals across the region. Over 10.38 lakh passengers have travelled from West Asia to India since late February.
Special arrangements, including alternative routes and non-scheduled flights, are being used to facilitate travel from countries with restricted airspace. Indian missions continue to operate round-the-clock helplines and provide consular support.
Haj pilgrimage to begin from April 18
The government also announced that the first batch of Indian Haj pilgrims will depart on April 18, with over 1.75 lakh pilgrims expected to undertake the sacred journey this year. Authorities said all preparations have been completed to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage, with close coordination between Indian missions and Saudi authorities.
Officials reiterated that the government is maintaining constant vigilance and coordination to ensure the safety of citizens and stability of essential supplies during the ongoing situation.
