New Delhi: Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying around 92,712 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday morning and are expected to reach Mundra Port on March 16 and Kandla Port on March 17, the Government of India informed during a high-level media briefing on the situation arising from the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The update was shared during the fourth inter-ministerial press interaction held at the National Media Centre, where senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Information and Broadcasting reviewed the status of fuel supply, maritime operations, and the safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf region. Similar briefings were held on March 11, 12, and 13.

Fuel supply stable, but LPG demand surges

Officials said all refineries in the country are operating at high capacity and maintaining sufficient crude inventories. India remains self-sufficient in petrol and diesel production, and no imports are required to meet domestic demand. Oil marketing companies reported no fuel shortages at retail outlets and urged the public not to resort to panic buying.

However, LPG supply remains under pressure due to the geopolitical situation. Daily LPG bookings have risen sharply from an average of 55.7 lakh to nearly 88.8 lakh, largely due to panic ordering. The government said there are no reports of dry-outs at LPG distributors, and commercial cylinders have been made available to states for priority distribution.

Natural gas supply to priority sectors such as PNG and CNG consumers continues without cuts, while supply to industrial and commercial users is being regulated at about 80%. City gas companies have been advised to expand PNG connections for hotels and restaurants to reduce dependence on LPG.

States told to monitor supply, raids against hoarding

State governments have been asked to closely monitor the availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG. Control rooms have been set up in 17 states and Union Territories, and several states have conducted review meetings with oil companies.

Authorities have also launched enforcement drives to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Joint inspection teams conducted raids in multiple states, while oil companies carried out about 1,300 inspections at LPG distributorships in a single day. In Uttar Pradesh alone, enforcement teams inspected over 1,400 locations, registering FIRs and making arrests in cases of illegal storage and sale.

To ensure uninterrupted domestic supply, LPG production at refineries has been increased by about 31%, and alternative fuels such as kerosene, coal, and biomass pellets are being permitted for temporary use in industries and hotels to ease pressure on LPG demand.

Shipping operations under watch, seafarers safe

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf is being closely monitored. Apart from the two LPG carriers that have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain in the region.

No new shipping incident involving Indian crew members has been reported in the last 24 hours. A 24×7 control room and quick response team are coordinating with ship owners, embassies, and maritime agencies. In the past two weeks, authorities have handled thousands of calls and emails from seafarers and their families, while more than 250 Indian seafarers have been repatriated so far.

Major ports in India have been instructed to give priority berthing to LPG vessels to ensure uninterrupted energy supply, and relief measures such as concessions in port charges are being provided to shipping companies facing delays.

Government monitoring West Asia situation closely

The Ministry of External Affairs said India is in constant touch with countries in the Gulf region and has emphasised the need for safe passage of energy shipments and protection of civilian infrastructure. Missions in the region are operating helplines and assisting Indian nationals with travel, visa, and evacuation support.

Around 1.72 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia since February 28, while flights from several Gulf countries have resumed gradually. The government said adequate fertiliser stocks are also available for the upcoming agricultural season.

Public advisory

The government urged citizens not to panic and to rely only on official information. Consumers have been advised to book LPG cylinders through digital platforms and avoid unnecessary visits to distributors. Authorities also warned against fake messages and misinformation circulating on social media.

Officials said the government is maintaining close coordination across ministries to ensure continuous fuel supply, safe maritime operations, and the welfare of Indian nationals despite the evolving situation in West Asia. DeshGujarat