New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.): The Central government has urged consumers not to rush or stand in line at LPG distributors’ outlets after booking a domestic gas cylinder. Instead, users are asked to wait patiently, as deliveries will be made within defined timelines even though the overall LPG situation remains tight amid regional tensions in West Asia. Authorities reiterated that there is adequate allocation for household consumers and that panic bookings should be avoided.

In an inter‑ministerial briefing at the National Media Centre, Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas explained that raw‑oil availability is sufficient and refineries are operating at full (or above‑full) capacity.

Domestic LPG production has increased by roughly 40 percent, and retail stocks of petrol and diesel are adequate, with no reports of shortages at fuel stations. Sharma also highlighted that about 93 percent of all LPG bookings are now being made online, underscoring the government’s push for digital transactions.

Officials also advised the public not to believe rumours about fuel prices, stressing that while international crude prices are fluctuating, there will be no immediate hike in petrol and diesel rates in India. The government, they said, has measures in place to prioritise household LPG and essential services such as hospitals and educational institutions, even as commercial cylinder supply is being rationalised.

On the external front, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued an advisory to Indian nationals, especially students, urging them to make informed choices regarding travel across the Armenia–Azerbaijan land border for smoother cross‑border movement. The guidance is framed as a precautionary measure, not a mandatory order, allowing citizens to adjust their travel plans as per their convenience.

Jaiswal added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a discussion with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the volatile West Asia situation and strongly condemned recent attacks on the UAE that caused civilian deaths and damage to critical infrastructure. Both leaders emphasised the need to ensure safe and unhindered maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz and committed to working together to restore peace, security and stability in the region.

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reported that all Indian vessels in the area remain safe, with no incidents recorded. In the past 24 hours, 25 Indian citizens have been repatriated from various ports after sign‑off, while the 24×7 control room dealt with 125 phone calls and about 450 emails, resolving them promptly.

LPG carriers Shivalk and Nanda Devi are offloading essentials at Indian ports, and the Visakhapatnam port has added 2,500 square metres of space to ease operations, with no congestion reported at any major port.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar