As part of the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to keep the citizens regularly informed about developments in West Asia, inter-ministerial briefings are being held for the media at the National Media Centre. In this context, a briefing was held today, where senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways and External Affairs, shared updates on fuel supply, maritime operations, assistance to Indian nationals in the region, and measures to ensure stability across these sectors.

Energy Supply and Fuel Availability

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas shared an update on the fuel supply situation, outlining measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG in view of the Strait of Hormuz closure, and noted:

Crude and Refineries

· All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained.

· Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased compared to pre-crisis levels.

Retail Outlets

· All retail outlets are operating normally across country.

· Panic buying was reported in some areas due to some rumours, resulting in unusually high sales and crowding at retail outlets.

· The Government has advised the public not to believe rumours and reiterated that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across the country.

Natural Gas

· Priority sectors continue to receive protected supplies, including 100 percent supply to domestic PNG and CNG transport, while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid are being maintained at around 80 percent of their average consumption.

· City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities have been advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants and canteens.

· CGD companies including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL are offering incentives to promote domestic and commercial PNG connections.

· The Government of India vide letter date 16.03.2026 has requested Government of States/UTs to expedite approval of applications required for expansion of CGD network.

· The Government of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has offered all States/UTs additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to States provided they can help in long term transition from LPG to PNG.

· The Government of India have requested all concerned Central Government Ministries for fast tracking and disposal of all pending and new permissions related to CGD infrastructure.

· The Government of India vide letter dated 20.03.2026 has requested all Central Government Ministries to undertake a comprehensive assessment of potential demand for PNG connections in establishments under various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India and to designate a nodal officer from each Ministry/Department to coordinate this exercise.

· Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) has advised its offices to dispose of CGD applications on priority within 10 days.

· Commercial LPG consumers in the major cities and urban area have been requested to switch to PNG.

· Petroleum and Natural gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) vide its order dated 23.03.2026 has directed CGD entities to prioritise PNG connections for residential schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens and anganwadi kitchens, through PNG within five days where pipelines are available.

· Over 7,500 domestic and commercial PNG connections were issued or activated yesterday in the top 110 geographical areas.

LPG

· LPG supply continues to be affected due to the prevailing geopolitical situation.

· No dry-outs have been reported at distributorships.

· Panic bookings showed a marginal increase yesterday, while delivery of domestic LPG cylinders continues as normal.

· The Government had already restored Partial Commercial LPG supply (20%) to consumers. Further, Government of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 had proposed to allocate additional 10% of Commercial LPG to States/UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.

· The Government. of India vide letter dated 21.03.2026 has allowed another 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States, which would take overall allocation to 50% (incl. 10% allocation based on ease of doing reforms for PNG expansion). This additional 20% allocation shall be given on priority to sectors like restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by State Government or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5 Kg FTL for migrant labourers.

· 24 States/UTs have issued orders to allocate the Non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines issued by the Government of India. For rest of the States/UTs, PSU Oil Marketing companies are releasing Commercial LPG cylinders. A total of around 18,784 MT has been uplifted during since 14th March 2026 by commercial entities in the States/UTs.

Kerosene

· An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been provided to States and UTs, which have been requested to identify district-level distribution points.

· 15 States and UTs have issued SKO allocation orders, while Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh has communicated that there is no SKO requirement in the State/UT. As on date, 17 States/UTs are yet to issue SKO allocation orders.

Role of State Governments / UTs

· Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000, State Government are empowered to act against any hoarding and black marketing. The Government of States/UTs have to play a primary role in monitoring and regulating supply situation of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG.

· The Government of India vide letter dated 13.03.2026 and 18.03.2026 has requested all States/UTs:

Ø To maintain strict vigilance so as to curb hoarding, black marketing, diversion of domestic LPG and other malpractices.

Ø To take stringent action against violators under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, Petroleum Act, 1934, Petroleum Rules 2002, Motor Spirit and HSD order 2005 and other applicable laws.

Ø To evolve appropriate distribution methodologies for commercial LPG, keeping in view local priorities and requirements.

Ø To issue public advisories to prevent panic buying, encourage judicious use of LPG and dissemination of accurate information.

· All District Collectors and Food and Civil Supplies (FC&S) officials are requested to conduct regular enforcement actions on daily basis.

· 32 States/UTs have setup control rooms. Many of the States/UTs are doing daily press briefs also.

· 33 States/UTs have setup District Level Monitoring Committee.

· All those States/UTs who have not setup Control rooms and District Monitoring committees are requested to do so on urgent basis.

Enforcement action

· Enforcement actions continue across States to curb hoarding and black marketing, with about 3,400 raids conducted and around 1,000 cylinders seized in the past 24 hours.

· Major actions were reported in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.

· PSU Oil Marketing Companies conducted more than 1,500 surprise inspections at retail outlets and LPG distributorships yesterday.

· So far, about 642 FIRs have been registered and around 155 people arrested.

Other Government Measures

· The Government continues to prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply and PNG expansion, particularly for households and priority sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.

· Measures include enhanced refinery production, revised booking intervals from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritised supply allocation.

· Alternate fuel options like Kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand.

· Ministry of Coal has already issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers.

· States have been advised to facilitate PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers.

Public Advisory

· Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of Petrol, Diesel and LPG and rely only on official information sources.

· Consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms for LPG and avoid visiting distributors.

· Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops.

· All citizens are requested to conserve energy during the current situation.

Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations

An update on the prevailing maritime situation in the Persian Gulf and the measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and crew was shared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Ministry stated that:

· All Indian seafarers currently present in the region are safe and no shipping incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours.

· Two Indian LPG vessels, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, crossed the Strait of Hormuz last night and are heading towards India carrying LPG cargo. Pine Gas (about 45,000 MT LPG) is bound for New Mangalore with ETA on 27 March morning, while Jag Vasant (about 47,612.59 MT LPG) is bound for Kandla with ETA on 26 March morning.

· Following their safe transit, 20 Indian-flagged vessels with around 540 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) continues close monitoring in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions.

· The DG Shipping Control Room remains operational 24×7 and has handled 3,921 calls and 7,447 emails since activation, including 146 calls and 226 emails in the past 24 hours.

· DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 585 Indian seafarers so far, including 26 in the past 24 hours and 39 over the last 48 hours, from airports and regional locations.

· India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports, as confirmed by State Maritime Boards including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

· Ports are closely monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations, with additional space already created at key ports such as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Visakhapatnam Port, Mundra, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) Cochin Port Authority, and Chennai Port Authority to ensure smooth cargo handling.

· At Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL), an additional 20 days of free storage period (total 40 days) has been granted for cars bound for the Gulf, along with provision of about 10 acres of additional storage space to facilitate efficient cargo management.

· The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to monitor shipping movements, port operations, safety of seafarers and continuity of maritime trade in view of the evolving situation in West Asia.

Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region

Recent developments in the region, including assistance through Indian Missions, were shared during the briefing. It was informed that:

· The External Affairs Minister spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and discussed the evolving situation in West Asia and its impact on the international economy, with particular focus on energy security concerns.

· The External Affairs Minister also spoke with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath of Sri Lanka, where both sides discussed the repercussions of the West Asia conflict. The Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.

· The External Affairs Minister met the Ambassadors of Gulf Cooperation Council countries in New Delhi and exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He thanked them for their continued support to the Indian community in the region.

· The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor developments in West Asia and the Gulf region, with the safety, security and well-being of the Indian community remaining the highest priority.

· A dedicated MEA control room remains operational, with coordination ongoing with State Governments and Union Territories.

· Indian Missions and Posts across the region are functioning round the clock, maintaining 24×7 helplines, engaging with Indian community organisations and issuing updated advisories.

· Missions remain in close contact with local authorities and continue to assist seafarers, students, stranded Indian nationals and short-term visitors with visa facilitation, consular services and logistical support.

· Since 28 February, around 4,02,000 passengers have returned from the region to India, with flight operations continuing to improve.

· In the UAE, limited non-scheduled flights continue, with around 85 flights expected today to India.

· Flights continue to operate from Saudi Arabia and Oman to India.

· Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways expected to operate around 9 non-scheduled flights to India today.

· Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces remain closed. Jazeera Airways of Kuwait is operating flights to various destinations in India from the Al Qaisumah Airport (AQI) in Saudi Arabia. Gulf Air of Bahrain also continues to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport of Saudi Arabia to India. This is facilitating travel of Indian nationals from Kuwait and Bahrain to India.

· Transit of Indian nationals continue to be facilitated via Saudi Arabia for those in Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq.

· Indian nationals in Iran continue to be assisted for travel to India via Armenia and Azerbaijan.

· Indian nationals in Israel are being facilitated to travel to India via Jordan.

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MN