theTripurapost News Images

No petrol, diesel shortage in India: Govt assures

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
  • Mar 13, 2026
  • 15

Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia and mounting concerns over global energy supplies following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Government of India on Friday held a joint press briefing involving multiple ministries for the third consecutive day.

Officials assured the public that the country is facing no shortage of petrol or diesel, though liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has emerged as a matter of concern due to its heavy dependence on shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The government noted that LPG bookings have surged by nearly two million since the outbreak of the Iran-related conflict, largely driven by public panic.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that daily LPG bookings averaged 5.57 million cylinders before the crisis. The figure has now climbed to around 7.57 million bookings per day, reflecting a sharp rise in consumer demand.

The ministry emphasized that no LPG distributor across the country has reported a supply outage, despite the sudden spike in bookings. India currently has approximately 25,000 LPG distributors, all of whom continue to operate normally.

Officials acknowledged that LPG supply remains sensitive because a significant portion of India’s LPG imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which is presently closed due to the ongoing tensions.

To mitigate potential disruptions, the central government has allocated an additional 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene to states and instructed state administrations to identify suitable locations for kerosene distribution. Meanwhile, Coal India Limited has been directed to supply coal to small and medium-scale consumers as an alternative fuel option.

The government reiterated that there is no need for panic booking, stressing that LPG inventories remain stable. Under the Natural Gas Order issued on March 9, 2026, priority has been given to key sectors, ensuring uninterrupted supplies of domestic PNG and CNG.

Officials further assured commercial users in major urban centres—who may face challenges due to reliance on LPG—that the government is actively working to address their concerns.

According to the ministry, India possesses a crude oil refining capacity of 258 million metric tonnes per year, with all refineries currently operating at or above full capacity. Adequate crude oil reserves are available, and refinery supply chains remain stable.