In light of the ongoing developments in West Asia, the Government of India continues to closely monitor the situation and is taking necessary preparedness and response measures to ensure stability across critical sectors. An update on key aspects, including energy supply, maritime operations, and support for Indian nationals in the region, is provided below.

Energy Supply and Fuel Availability

With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed, the Government of India has taken a series of measures to maintain uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and LPG across the country. The present status is outlined below:

Crude/Refineries

· All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude inventories in place. The country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.

· Domestic LPG Production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption.

Retail Outlets

· All Retails outlets are operating normally across the country.

· Panic Buying reported in Some areas – There were certain rumours which led to panic buying at some Retail outlets in few States, resulting in unusually high sales and heavy crowding at Retail outlets. However, it is informed that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all Petrol Pumps in the country.

· The Government reiterates its advice to the public not to believe rumours.

Natural Gas

· Consumers have been prioritised with 100% supplies to D-PNG and CNG-Transport.

· Supplies to industrial & commercial consumers connected on grid is at 80% of their average consumption.

· CGD entities have also been advised by Govt. of India to prioritize PNG connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens across all their Gas, to address concerns regarding the availability of commercial LPG.

· CGD Companies like IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL have offered incentives for taking domestic and Commercial PNG connections.

· Govt. of India has requested Govt. of States/UTs and Central Ministries to expedite approval of applications required for expansion of CGD network.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has offered all States/UTs additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to States provided they can help in long term transition from LPG to PNG.

· Some States have come up with policies for faster Right of User/Right of Way (RoU/RoW) permission, longer working hours and also rationalization of RoU/RoW charges.

· In response to above Govt. of India letter, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) has advised all its offices to dispose off CGD applications on priority i.e., within 10 days of receipt.

· PNGRB vide its order dated 23.03.2026 has directed all CGD entities to make all out efforts to connect residential schools & colleges, hostels, community kitchens, anganwadi kitchens etc. through PNG within 5 days, wherever pipeline infrastructure is available in near vicinity.

· Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways vide letter dated 24.03.2026 has stated that they have adopted “Accelerated Approval Framework for CGD Infrastructure with reduced timelines” as a special measure for 3 months wherein applications pertaining to CGD infrastructure shall be processed on priority.

· Govt. of India vide Gazette dated 24.03.2026 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. The Order provides a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country, addressing delays in approvals and access to land, and enabling faster development of natural gas infrastructure, including in residential areas. It is expected to accelerate PNG network growth, enhance last-mile connectivity, and support the transition to cleaner fuels, thereby strengthening energy security and advancing India’s gas-based economy.

· CGD entities have reported 11,089 PNG connections (new connections and old gas-in) in 110 focused Geographical Areas yesterday.

LPG

· Supply of LPG is affected due to prevailing geopolitical situation.

Domestic LPG Supply:

· No reported dry-out at LPG distributorships.

· Delivery of Domestic LPG Cylinders is normal.

Commercial LPG supply

· Govt. had already restored Partial Commercial LPG supply (20%) to consumers. Further, Govt. of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 had proposed to allocate additional 10% of Commercial LPG to States/UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.

· Govt. of India vide letter dated 21.03.2026 has allowed another 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States, which would take overall allocation to 50% (incl. 10% allocation based on ease of doing reforms for PNG expansion). This additional 20% allocation shall be given on priority to sectors like restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by State Govt. or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5 Kg FTL for migrant labourers.

· 27 States/UTs have issued orders to allocate the Non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines issued by the Govt. of India. For rest of the States/UTs, PSU Oil Marketing companies are releasing Commercial LPG cylinders. A total of around 25,922 MT has been uplifted since 14^th March 2026 by commercial entities in the States/UTs.

· Yesterday, more than 37,000 – 5 Kg FTL Cylinders have been sold.

Kerosene

· Additional allocation of 48000 KL of Kerosene over and above the regular allocation has been made to all the States/UTs.

· States/UTs have been requested to identify locations in districts for distribution of kerosene.

· 17 States/UTs have issued SKO allocation orders. Further, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh has communicated that there is no SKO requirement in the State/UT.

Role of State/UTs-

· Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000, State Govt. are empowered to act against any hoarding and black marketing. Govt. of States/UTs have to play a primary role in monitoring and regulating supply situation of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG. Govt. of India has reiterated the same vide letter dated 13.03.2026 and 18.03.2026 to all States/UTs.

· Govt. of India has been emphasising the importance of States/UTs in controlling hoarding, black marketing and rumour mongering. Accordingly, a VC was conducted by Secretary, MoP&NG on 25.03.2026 with all Chief Secretaries, ACSs/Principal Secretary/Secretary Food & Civil supply of all the States/UTs and requested –

• To institutionalize daily press briefings at State/District level and issue regular public advisories.
• To setup dedicated control rooms/helplines
• To actively monitor and counter fake news / misinformation on social media.
• To intensify daily enforcement drives by District admin and to continue raids and inspections in coordination with OMCs
• To issue Commercial LPG allocation orders within their States/UTs
• To issue SKO allocation orders for additional SKO allotted to the States/UTs.
• To fast track CGD expansion incl. expediting RoW/RoU permissions, 24x7 work permissions etc.
• To promote PNG adoptions and alternate fuels.
• To nominate senior nodal officers for coordination with MoPNG

Enforcement action

· Raids continue to be carried out in many of the States/UTs to check the hoardings and black marketing of LPG. More than 2600 raids have been conducted, and more than 450 cylinders have been seized in Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana etc. yesterday.

· PSU OMCs officials have conducted surprise inspections at about than 1700 RO and LPG distributorships yesterday across the country to ensure smooth supplies and to check any hoardings/black marketing cases.

· Till now more than 680 FIRs have been registered and 195 people have been arrested so far.

Other Government Measures

· Despite this war situation, Government’s has given highest priority to Domestic LPG and PNG, along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.

· The Government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply.

· Alternate fuel options like Kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand.

· Ministry of Coal has already issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers.

· States have been advised to facilitate the new PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers.

Public Advisory

· Government is making all efforts to ensure availability of Petrol, Diesel and LPG. Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of Petrol, Diesel and booking of LPG, and rely only on official sources for correct information.

· For LPG, citizens are requested to use digital modes for bookings and avoid visiting LPG distributors.

· Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels like PNG, induction/electric cooktops wherever possible.

· All citizens are requested to make necessary efforts to conserve energy in their daily usage.

Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations

Necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region. As per Ministry:

· The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is closely monitoring shipping movements, port operations and safety of Indian seafarers, while ensuring continuity of maritime trade.

· All Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours.

· 20 Indian-flagged vessels with 540 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf; DG Shipping, in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions, is actively monitoring the situation.

· DG Shipping Control Room is operational 24x7 and has handled 4,228 calls and 8,221 emails since activation, including 120 calls and 312 emails in the past 24 hours.

· DG Shipping has facilitated safe repatriation of over 674 Indian seafarers so far, including 39 in the last 24 hours.

· Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion; State Maritime Boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have confirmed smooth functioning.

· The Ministry continues coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted operations.

Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region

Indian Missions and Posts are maintaining close contact with the Indian community and are continuing to provide assistance, while also issuing appropriate advisories for their safety and well-being. It has been informed that:

· Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf and West Asia region. Safety, security and welfare of the Indian community remains the highest priority. The 24x7 control room remains operational, with regular coordination with States/UTs.

· Indian Missions and Posts are functioning round the clock, issuing advisories and maintaining contact with community organisations and local authorities. Assistance is being provided to seafarers, students, stranded Indian nationals and short-term visitors for visas, consular services and logistics.

· Flight operations are improving with additional flights from the region; around 4,50,000 passengers have returned to India since 28 February.

• UAE: Airlines operating limited non-scheduled flights; around 80 flights expected today from various airports
• Saudi Arabia & Oman: Flights continue to operate to India
• Qatar: Airspace partially open; around 8–9 non-scheduled flights expected today
• Kuwait & Bahrain: Airspace closed; special flights of Jazeera Airways and Gulf Air operating via Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to India
• Iran: Travel being facilitated via Armenia and Azerbaijan
• Israel: Travel being facilitated via Jordan
• Kuwait, Bahrain & Iraq: Travel also being facilitated via Saudi Arabia

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MN