India’s domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production has increased by 40 per cent, the government said on Wednesday, even as concerns over supply disruptions persist due to tensions in West Asia and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Addressing a joint briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the country has adequate stocks of crude oil, petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), with no reports of dry-outs at fuel stations.
However, she noted that LPG supply remains a concern as a significant portion of imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Push for PNG transition
To ease pressure on LPG supplies, the Centre has urged states and Union Territories to accelerate the transition to piped natural gas (PNG).
States have been offered 10 per cent additional allocation of commercial LPG on the condition that they facilitate the shift to PNG for domestic, commercial and industrial users. The government has also emphasised faster approvals and expansion of gas infrastructure.
Sharma added that online LPG booking has improved to 93 per cent as of March 17, indicating better consumer access and system efficiency.
Shipping operations remain stable
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said no congestion has been reported at any port across the country, assuring smooth cargo movement despite global uncertainties.
Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha said ports are operating efficiently, citing Mundra Port, where container occupancy is currently around 25 per cent of its 400,000 TEU capacity.
At Visakhapatnam Port, authorities have created 2,250 square metres of additional storage space to handle any potential surge in cargo.
Indian vessels and crew safe
The government also confirmed that 22 Indian-flagged vessels operating in and around the Gulf region are carrying 3.2 lakh tonnes of LPG, 2 lakh tonnes of LNG, and 1.67 million tonnes of crude oil.
A total of 611 Indian crew members onboard these vessels are safe, with no incidents reported.
Officials said India is in touch with regional counterparts, including Iran, to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
In the past 24 hours, 25 Indian nationals have been repatriated, while a 24×7 control room has handled over 125 calls and 450 emails from seafarers and their families.
Continued monitoring amid global uncertainty
The government said it is working closely with ports, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade. The safe arrival of Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki at Mundra earlier in the day further underscored operational stability.
Despite global tensions, authorities maintained that India’s energy supplies remain stable, while precautionary measures continue to safeguard logistics and fuel availability.
(With agency inputs)
