Top News

The government has taken significant measures to address the gas crisis currently unfolding in India, which has been triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government is now sourcing larger consignments of LPG from new suppliers, including the United States, Norway, Canada, and Russia. Additionally, procurement continues from the Gulf region wherever supplies remain available. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri shared this information on Thursday. As the world's second-largest importer of LPG, India is currently grappling with the challenge of limited supply.

The Union Minister stated that the Union Ministry of Environment has advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit the hotel and restaurant sector to utilize alternative fuels—such as biomass, kerosene, and coal—for a period of one month to reduce LPG consumption.

Previously Sourced 60% of Gas from Gulf Nations.
Speaking in Parliament, Puri explained that India previously imported approximately 60% of its LPG requirements from Gulf nations; however, the sources for procurement have now been diversified. Exercising emergency powers, the Central Government has issued directives to refineries to ramp up LPG production and to curtail sales to industrial sectors, thereby ensuring that the country's nearly 333 million households do not face a gas shortage. The Union Minister affirmed that domestic LPG supply remains entirely secure and that the delivery cycle for gas cylinders remains unchanged. Puri noted that the panic surrounding cooking gas supplies stems less from an actual shortage and more from consumer anxiety.

Increased Oil Procurement from Outside the Strait of Hormuz
Global shipping operations have been disrupted due to the suspension of vessel movements within the Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz—a consequence of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. This situation has also impacted India's supplies of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. Despite the government's interventions, restaurants, hotels, and various industrial sectors have begun to feel the pinch of limited LPG supplies, given that the fuel is primarily utilized for cooking purposes. 

Measures Taken to Curb Black Marketing
Puri stated that, starting Thursday, oil companies—in collaboration with state governments—will allocate 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Last year, India consumed 33.15 million tonnes of cooking gas, with imports meeting approximately 60% of this demand.

No Gas Shortage Amidst the Conflict
Puri also affirmed that India's current crude oil supply situation remains secure, as the share of oil sourced from outside the Strait of Hormuz has risen to 70% of total imports. He added that the availability of petrol and diesel within the country is also fully secure, and LNG consignments are arriving almost daily via alternative routes. Puri emphasized that even if the conflict persists for an extended period, India possesses adequate arrangements for domestic gas production and LNG supplies to effectively manage the situation.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.