Centre asks oil marketing companies to build 30-day LPG reserves to strengthen fuel security and ensure uninterrupted supply. The Centre has directed IOC, BPCL and HPCL to create additional LPG storage as the ongoing West Asia conflict continues to impact global energy markets.
Centre asks oil marketing companies to build 30-day LPG reserves
Centre asks oil marketing companies to build 30-day LPG reserves: Amid continuing geopolitical tensions and conflict in West Asia, the Centre has directed public sector oil marketing companies to maintain Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) reserves sufficient for at least 30 days to safeguard the country against possible supply disruptions.
The announcement was made by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, during an inter-ministerial press briefing on the evolving situation in West Asia. She said the government is taking proactive measures to strengthen India’s energy security and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country.
Oil Companies Asked to Expand Storage Capacity
According to Ms Sharma, state-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) — have been instructed to prepare plans for additional LPG storage capacity over and above their regular commercial inventories.
She assured that India currently has adequate stocks of petrol, diesel, LPG, crude oil, and natural gas. Refineries across the country are operating at optimum levels, while domestic LPG production has touched an all-time high of approximately 92,000 metric tonnes per day.
LPG Distribution Remains Stable Across India
Highlighting the robustness of the distribution network, Ms Sharma stated that no LPG distributorship in the country has reported any dry-out situation. Over the last four days, around 1.78 crore LPG refill bookings were recorded, while nearly 1.8 crore cylinders were successfully delivered. About 96 per cent of these deliveries were digitally authenticated.
The government has also intensified enforcement measures to curb hoarding and black marketing. Enforcement agencies and oil marketing companies have carried out inspections leading to fuel seizures, FIRs, arrests, and action against errant dealers and distributors.
Commercial LPG supplies remain stable, and natural gas supply restoration for industrial and commercial consumers has reached 99 per cent, officials said.
MEA Monitoring Situation in Gulf Region
Meanwhile, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem Mahajan, said the government is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region. Indian embassies and consulates are operating round-the-clock helplines to assist Indian nationals in the affected areas.
Mr Mahajan also noted that flight connectivity between the Gulf region and India is gradually improving, with additional flights operating to various destinations across the country.
Maritime Operations Continue Without Disruption
Providing an update on maritime operations, Director in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Opesh Kumar Sharma, said the merchant crude oil tanker “Nissos Keros” has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to arrive in Visakhapatnam on June 3 carrying around 2.7 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil.
He further confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and that no incidents involving Indian crew members aboard Indian-flagged or foreign-flagged merchant vessels have been reported so far.
India Focuses on Long-Term Fuel Security
The Centre’s latest move reflects growing concerns over global energy security amid instability in West Asia, a region crucial to India’s crude oil and gas imports.
