India on Thursday asserted that its petroleum and LPG supplies remain stable and sufficient, even as global concerns rise due to tensions in West Asia, with the government urging citizens not to be misled by misinformation triggering panic buying.
In an official statement issued on March 26, the Petroleum Ministry said the country currently maintains around 60 days of fuel stock, backed by a total reserve capacity of 74 days, including crude oil, petroleum products, and strategic reserves stored in underground caverns. The assurance comes nearly four weeks into the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has heightened global energy supply concerns.
The ministry stated that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country, adding that all retail fuel outlets continue to operate normally with adequate supplies. It emphasised that crude procurement for the next two months has already been secured, ensuring uninterrupted availability regardless of external disruptions.
Addressing reports of panic buying in certain regions, the government attributed such incidents to a coordinated spread of misinformation through social media. It said that despite temporary surges in demand at select outlets, oil companies ensured uninterrupted fuel distribution, with depots operating through the night to maintain supply levels.
To further stabilise the supply chain, oil marketing companies have extended credit limits to fuel pumps from one day to more than three days, enabling dealers to maintain sufficient working capital and prevent disruptions in fuel availability.
The ministry also highlighted that India’s diversified energy sourcing strategy has strengthened supply resilience. With crude oil imports now coming from over 41 countries, India is receiving higher volumes than previously routed through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global chokepoint currently under scrutiny due to geopolitical tensions.
On refining operations, the government said all Indian refineries are running at more than full capacity, ensuring consistent production of petroleum products. There is no supply gap, it added, reiterating that the country remains well-prepared to handle global volatility.
In the LPG sector, domestic production has been ramped up significantly, increasing daily output by 40 per cent to 50 thousand metric tonnes. This now meets more than 60 per cent of the country’s daily requirement of around 80 thousand metric tonnes, reducing dependence on imports.
Additionally, the government confirmed that 800 thousand metric tonnes of LPG cargo are already en route from multiple countries, including the United States, Russia, and Australia, arriving through India’s expanded network of 22 import terminals. Oil companies are currently delivering over 50 lakh LPG cylinders daily across the country.
To prevent hoarding and black marketing, commercial LPG supply allocations have been increased to 50 per cent in coordination with states. Authorities have also intensified monitoring and enforcement to curb malpractice.
The government reiterated that piped natural gas expansion is part of a long-term energy transition strategy and not a response to any LPG shortage. With domestic gas production at 92 million standard cubic metres per day against a demand of 191 MMSCMD, India continues to reduce import dependency in the gas sector.
Calling for public cooperation, the ministry urged citizens to rely only on official communications for updates on fuel availability, stressing that the current supply situation remains fully secure and under control.
