New Delhi, 14 May (H.S.): The central government stated on Thursday that effective measures have been taken to ensure adequate availability of crude oil, LPG, and natural gas across the country despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas addressed an inter-ministerial press conference in the national capital, New Delhi, on recent developments in West Asia. She said that domestic cooking gas (LPG) supply is running smoothly throughout the country. She stated that the West Asia crisis has impacted imports of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. However, the Government of India has taken several effective steps, as a result of which sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas are available.

She remarked that refineries are operating at full capacity, and domestic cooking gas (LPG) production has also been increased. No situation of stock depletion (dry-out) has been reported at any retail outlet or LPG distributorship.

Sharma informed that commercial LPG restoration has reached approximately 70 percent to reduce disruptions in the supply chain. She stated that over seven lakh LPG connections have been activated since March this year, while around seven lakh 50 thousand new customers have registered for PNG connections. She said that approximately 1.40 crore LPG bookings were received in the last three days, of which about 1.39 crore bookings have been fulfilled. She further stated that approximately 83,500 tonnes of commercial LPG have been sold since the first of this month, while more than 23,820 tonnes of LPG were sold in the last three days.

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said that two LPG ships carrying cargo for India have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, and they are expected to arrive at Kandla and New Mangalore ports on May 16 and 18 respectively.

Mukesh Mangal stated that after an attack in the Oman maritime area, all crew members were safely rescued by the Oman Coast Guard in the incident where the Indian ship 'Haji Ali' caught fire. Along with this, more than 3,158 seafarers have been brought back home so far, while port operations across India are functioning normally.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar