The Centre on Friday said it is maintaining adequate fuel supplies and closely monitoring developments in West Asia, while urging citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG.
At a media briefing at the National Media Centre, officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and External Affairs outlined measures to ensure stability across energy supply, maritime operations and support to Indian nationals in the region.
Officials said 100 per cent supply is being maintained for domestic LPG, domestic PNG and CNG (transport), even as the geopolitical situation continues to impact supply chains. LPG supply to households has been prioritised, with no “dry-outs” reported at distributorships. Online LPG bookings rose to 98 per cent, while Delivery Authentication Code-based deliveries reached around 94 per cent — with the code sent to registered mobile numbers — to prevent diversion.
Since April 1, over 17.83 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders have been sold, including more than 81,000 on Thursday. Supplies of these cylinders for migrant workers have been doubled beyond earlier limits based on average supply during March 2–3, with states tasked with targeted distribution. Public sector oil marketing companies have organised over 8,500 awareness camps since April 3, selling more than 1.33 lakh cylinders, including 5,549 units through over 250 camps on Thursday.
During April (till April 23), about 1,47,262 metric tonnes of commercial LPG — equivalent to over 77.5 lakh 19-kg cylinders — have been sold, including a component of reform-linked allocation of about 10 per cent. A three-member committee of executive directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL is coordinating with states and industry bodies for LPG distribution.
To manage demand, the government has increased LPG booking intervals from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas. Alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal have been made available to ease pressure on LPG demand, with the coal ministry directing Coal India and Singareni Collieries to supply additional coal to states for small and medium consumers. An additional allocation of 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene has been provided to states and Union Territories, with several states issuing SKO allocation orders.
Enforcement action has intensified, with over 2,300 raids conducted across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing. PSU oil marketing companies have penalised 307 LPG distributorships and suspended 70. States have been empowered under the Essential Commodities Act and LPG Control Order to monitor supply, with all states and Union Territories setting up control rooms and district monitoring committees. The Centre, through letters dated March 27 and April 2 and review meetings held on April 2 and April 6, has asked states to issue daily briefings, counter misinformation on social media, and prioritise LPG supply, including targeted distribution of 5-kg cylinders.
The government has also accelerated PNG expansion, with over 5.27 lakh connections gasified since March and infrastructure created for another 2.60 lakh connections, taking the total to 7.87 lakh. Nearly 5.97 lakh consumers have registered for new connections, while over 42,000 have surrendered LPG connections after shifting to PNG via the MYPNGD.in portal.
City gas distribution companies have been asked to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants and canteens, with incentives being offered by companies including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has directed CGD entities to expedite PNG connections, while gas allocation to fertiliser plants has been increased to about 95 per cent of their six-month average consumption and supply to other industrial and commercial sectors raised to around 80 per cent.
The Centre has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to streamline approvals and expand pipeline infrastructure. It has also introduced an accelerated approval framework for CGD projects, while the environment ministry has directed pollution control authorities to grant approvals within 15 days. The National PNG Drive 2.0 has been extended till June 30, and a model compressed biogas policy has been prepared, with additional LPG allocations linked to PNG reforms adopted by states.
Officials said refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, while domestic LPG production has been increased. A joint working group has been set up to ensure petrochemical feedstock availability, with provisions made to supply up to 1,000 metric tonnes per day from the LPG pool to critical sectors. Since April 9, more than 6,400 metric tonnes of propylene have been supplied to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Retail fuel outlets across the country are operating normally, with no disruption reported. To shield consumers from rising crude prices, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre and increased export levies on diesel to ₹55.50 per litre and on aviation turbine fuel to ₹42 per litre, while retail prices remain unchanged at PSU outlets.
The government advised citizens to avoid panic buying, rely on official sources, use digital LPG booking platforms, consider alternate fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooking options, and conserve energy in daily use.
