The government on Saturday urged citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel, and LPG, assuring that fuel supplies remain adequate despite disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said it is taking proactive measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and cooking gas while advising consumers to rely only on official information and conserve energy. 

Measures to safeguard essential needs

To safeguard essential needs, the government has prioritised domestic LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) supplies, particularly for households, hospitals, and critical services. Measures to boost refinery output and manage demand, including extending LPG refill intervals, have also been implemented. 

Authorities have intensified action against hoarding and black marketing, conducting over 3,700 raids and issuing around 1,000 show-cause notices to LPG distributors. So far, 27 dealerships have been suspended. 

Despite geopolitical pressures, the ministry said there are no reports of LPG shortages at distributor points. Around 51 lakh cylinders were delivered on Friday, with online bookings accounting for 95% of total demand. 

Commercial LPG supplies have been capped at 70% of pre-crisis levels, while alternative fuels such as kerosene and coal are being deployed to ease demand. 

On natural gas, the government said it is ensuring full supplies to households and the transport sector, while gradually increasing allocations to industries and fertiliser units, supported by incoming LNG cargoes. 

All refineries are operating at high capacity: Govt

All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and petrol pumps across the country remain fully stocked, the ministry added. 

To shield consumers from rising global oil prices, the government has cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre and imposed export levies on diesel and aviation fuel to boost domestic availability. 

The ministry said state governments have been asked to intensify monitoring, counter misinformation and ensure smooth fuel distribution, reiterating that India’s overall energy supplies remain secure.