Amid worries about LPG shortages, India is taking steps to diversify LPG procurement by purchasing liquefied petroleum gas from the US. This move aims to address supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry’s Joint Secretary, Sujata Sharma, highlighted that despite ongoing concerns, there have been no reports of dry-outs at LPG distributorships. Online bookings have surged to 94%, with about 83% of refill deliveries authenticated through codes.
There has been a noticeable decrease in panic bookings, with around 57 lakh refill bookings received recently. LPG cylinder deliveries are operating smoothly, Sharma confirmed. She emphasized that crude oil situations and refinery operations in the country are stable. Domestic PNG and CNG supplies are at 100%, and users are encouraged to shift from LPG to PNG, with over 5,600 users making the transition in the last three days.
India’s efforts to diversify oil and gas imports away from the Middle East have intensified due to global geopolitical tensions. With concerns over the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which affects 20% of global oil and gas exports, India now sources 70% of its oil imports from countries outside the Gulf region, including the US, Russia, and African nations like Nigeria. The government has taken action against black marketing and hoarding, conducting raids to seize cylinders and prevent illegal activities.
To combat black marketing and hoarding, the government has urged all states to enforce necessary measures and take legal action against violators. Control rooms have been set up in 31 states and Union Territories, with district-level monitoring committees established in 25 regions. Meanwhile, Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha assured the safety of Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers in the West of the Strait of Hormuz, with ongoing monitoring of shipping movements in West Asia.
