The government, on Thursday, moved to reassure citizens that the country’s fuel supply situation remains fully stable. The ministry of petroleum and natural gas said India’s petroleum and LPG systems are secure and under firm control, with no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG anywhere in the country. It also warned against what it called a coordinated misinformation campaign intended to create unnecessary panic.This follows the Centre’s earlier clarification dismissing reports that LPG refill booking timelines had been changed. It said the claims were incorrect and misleading, and reaffirmed that the existing timelines “remain unchanged and continue to” operate under the current time limit.Here’s what the government said:
‘Oasis of energy security’: Fuel supply stable across India
The ministry reiterated India’s fuel security, saying that the country continues to function as an “oasis of energy security.” In a press release, the government pointed out that “India is the world’s 4th largest refiner and 5th largest exporter of petroleum products, supplying refined fuel to over 150 countries.”Commenting on petrol and diesel availability, the Centre assured that, being a net exporter, India’s petrol and diesel availability is “structurally assured.” It confirmed that all 1 lakh-plus retail fuel outlets across India are operating normally and dispensing petrol and diesel without interruption.The ministry said no outlet has been instructed to ration fuel. It also highlighted that, unlike several countries facing rationing, price shocks, odd-even vehicle restrictions and even station closures, with some declaring a “National Energy Emergency,” India has no requirement for such measures.According to the ministry, reports of shortages at select locations were driven by panic buying triggered by misinformation circulating on social media. It said that despite temporary surges in demand, fuel continued to be supplied to all customers, while oil company depots operated round-the-clock to strengthen distribution. Oil companies have also extended credit limits to petrol pumps to more than three days, up from one day earlier, to ensure smooth working capital flow and uninterrupted supply.
Crude tanks — already covered
Addressing concerns over global supply routes, the ministry stated that even with disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, India is currently receiving higher crude volumes from over 41 international suppliers than what previously came through the strait.It added that increased availability in global markets, particularly from the western hemisphere, has fully offset any disruption. All Indian refineries, it said, are operating at over 100% capacity utilisation.The ministry further stated that crude oil requirements for the next 60 days have already been secured, and there is no supply gap in the system. “Crude oil supplies for next 60 days have already been tied up by Indian Oil companies.”
LPG
Commenting on LPG supply, a major concern for consumers amid the Middle East crisis, the ministry said that there is no shortage anywhere in the country and production has been significantly ramped up following the LPG Control Order.Domestic refinery output has increased by 40 per cent, reaching 50 TMT per day, more than 60 per cent of the country’s total daily requirement of around 80 TMT. As a result, the net import requirement has been reduced to 30 TMT per day.It said 800 TMT of LPG cargoes have already been secured and are currently en route from countries including the United States, Russia and Australia. These supplies are arriving across 22 LPG import terminals, compared to 11 in 2014.The ministry said about one month of LPG supply is fully secured, with further procurement ongoing. Oil companies are currently distributing over 50 lakh cylinders daily. It noted that demand had briefly surged to 89 lakh cylinders due to panic buying but has since returned to normal levels. Commercial cylinder allocation has been increased to 50% in consultation with state governments to prevent hoarding and black marketing.
A PNG transition
The ministry once again highlighted the push for piped natural gas expansion, stating that it is part of a planned and ongoing transition towards cleaner, cheaper and safer household energy, being implemented in coordination with state governments. It further clarified that this expansion is not linked to any shortage situation and rejected claims that PNG is being pushed due to LPG scarcity. It said LPG supply remains fully secure.India produces 92 MMSCMD of natural gas domestically against a total requirement of 191 MMSCMD, making gas relatively less import-dependent than LPG.Till now, city gas distribution networks have expanded from 57 geographical areas in 2014 to more than 300 at present. Domestic PNG connections have grown from 25 lakh to over 1.5 crore.
Strategic reserves — A bigger picture
The ministry also dismissed claims circulating online that India has only six days of fuel stock, saying the country has a total reserve capacity of 74 days, with current stock cover at around 60 days.This includes crude stocks, product inventories and strategic storage in underground caverns. The ministry noted that this is the position even as the country is on the 27th day of the ongoing Middle East crisis.It said that almost two months of steady supply is already secured, with additional crude procurement for the next two months also tied up. It asserted that India remains fully secure for the coming months, and stressed that claims of depleted reserves are false. “Nearly two months of steady supply is available for every Indian citizen regardless of what happens globally. Next 2 months of crude procurement has also been secured. India is completely secure for next many months and the quantity in strategic cavern storage becomes secondary in such a supply situation.”
Government’s warning
Expressing serious concern, the ministry said misleading videos and social media posts are circulating that misuse images of queues, foreign rationing situations and fabricated claims about fuel emergencies in India.It also said certain posts have misinterpreted routine administrative orders such as the Natural Gas Control Order and LPG Control Order as emergency declarations, when they are standard supply management measures.The Ministry said these false narratives are being spread by miscreants and amplified by motivated elements, causing avoidable public anxiety. It urged citizens to depend only on official government communication for accurate information.It further warned that spreading misinformation on essential commodities is a punishable offence under law, and said strict action will be taken against those responsible for deliberately creating panic.
