New Delhi, 22 April (H.S.): Despite Iran-US-Israel flashpoints disrupting petroleum flows, the central government affirmed uninterrupted domestic oil and gas supplies, confirming all Indian seafarers' safety, normalized LPG distribution, and robust measures safeguarding fuel continuity.
Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal reported no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships in the last 24 hours. A crude oil tanker carrying 31 Indian crew safely entered territorial waters on March 18, docking in Mumbai this evening. Over 2,615 seafarers repatriated to date, including 25 yesterday.
Petroleum Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma announced LPG supplies reverted to normalcy, exceeding 100,000 tonnes delivered this April with over 100,000 cylinders dispatched. Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections and infrastructure surge; new LPG registrations climb as refineries operate at full throttle. Thousands of raids seized cylinders; oil marketing firms intensify surprise inspections against stockpiling and black marketing.
DPIIT Joint Secretary Nidhi Kesriwani revealed PESO's directives ensuring fuel-gas continuity: approvals for 41 biogas cylinder filling/storage plants, licenses for 14 facilities. Kerosene demand addressed via temporary storage relaxations up to 2,500 liters premium and one-time 5,000 liters PDS kerosene permitted.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
