LPG supply back to normal, over 1 lakh tonnes delivered in April; govt pushes PNG expansion

Domestic LPG supply has returned to normal levels, with the government stepping up distribution, enforcement, and infrastructure expansion to ensure energy availability amid regional uncertainties.  

Officials on Wednesday said over one lakh tonnes of LPG has been supplied in April so far, with more than one lakh cylinders currently in circulation across the country. 

“Domestic LPG supply has been restored to normal levels, with over one lakh tonnes supplied in April and more than one lakh cylinders in circulation. Camps continue to support distribution,” said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.  

She added that the government is also “promoting a shift to piped natural gas (PNG), with strong growth in PNG connections and infrastructure coverage,” alongside the addition of a significant number of new LPG customers. Refineries, she noted, are operating at optimum capacity to support demand. 

Crackdown on malpractice intensifies 

Authorities have ramped up enforcement measures to curb diversion and hoarding. Thousands of raids have been conducted in recent weeks, leading to the seizure of a large number of cylinders. Oil marketing companies are also carrying out surprise inspections across supply chains. 

“Enforcement remains stringent, with thousands of raids conducted recently and cylinders seized. Oil marketing companies are also undertaking surprise inspections to curb malpractice, hoarding and diversion,” Sharma added. 

Seafarers safe; tanker set to dock in Mumbai 

On maritime operations, officials confirmed that Indian shipping remains unaffected in the Persian Gulf region. “No incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the last 24 hours and our seafarers remain safe,” said Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. 

He added that the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima, carrying 31 Indian seafarers, had crossed the region safely on March 18 and is expected to reach Mumbai later today. “The Ministry has facilitated safe repatriation of over 2,615 Indian seafarers so far, including 25 in the last 24 hours,” Mangal said. 

PESO clears new facilities to boost supply chain 

In parallel, regulatory support has been strengthened to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. Nidhi Kesarwani, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), said multiple facilitative measures have been rolled out by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). 

“Multiple activities and facilitative orders have been issued which are oriented towards uninterrupted supply of fuel and gas,” she said. According to Kesarwani, approvals have been granted for 41 biogas cylinder filling and storage plants while licences have been issued for 14 facilities. 

To address kerosene demand, the government has allowed temporary storage relaxations. “Temporary storage relaxations have been granted for superior kerosene oil up to 2,500 litres and a one-time relaxation for 5,000 litres for PDS kerosene to ensure last-mile continuity,” she said. 

The combined measures come as the government looks to stabilise domestic energy supply chains while accelerating the transition towards cleaner fuel alternatives such as piped natural gas.