New Delhi, 13 March (H.S.): The Centre assured ample availability of petrol, diesel, and gas, urging citizens to avoid panic booking amid a spike in daily LPG demand from 55.7 lakh to 75.7 lakh cylinders—signaling hoarding triggered by rumors.
Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma (Marketing & Oil Refineries) at an inter-ministerial briefing stated domestic LPG production has risen 30% since March 5, with seamless household deliveries maintained; she appealed against heeding misinformation.
India's 258 million metric ton refining capacity ensures self-sufficiency in petrol and diesel, with refineries at full or excess utilization and sufficient crude stocks eliminating import needs.Under the March 9 Natural Gas Control Order, priority goes to domestic PNG (1.5 crore consumers) and CNG vehicles without cuts; Sharma encouraged 60 lakh eligible homes near networks to adopt PNG, easing LPG strain.
With 1,01,469 retail outlets, 25,605 distributors, and daily delivery of 50 lakh cylinders to 33.37 crore consumers (10.56 crore via PM Ujjwala), no shortages or dry-outs reported; essential services like hospitals and schools receive uninterrupted supply, with industrial adjustments on priority basis.
Ports Minister Rajesh Kumar Sinha noted priority berthing for LPG carriers amid Gulf tensions monitoring, reporting three Indian sailors' deaths, one missing, and four minor injuries under treatment.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted PM Modi's call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian stressing citizen safety, energy transit, and diplomacy; EAM Jaishankar discussed bilateral/BRICS issues with FM Abbas Araghchi, with 170 Indians crossing to Armenia—many returning via commercial flights.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
