At an Inter-Ministerial Briefing in New Delhi, senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum, External Affairs, and Fertilizers assured the nation that fuel supplies, LPG deliveries, and fertilizer stocks remain stable and well-managed despite ongoing tensions in West Asia.
The Indian government on Friday moved swiftly to reassure citizens about the uninterrupted availability of essential commodities particularly LPG, PNG gas connections, and agricultural fertilizers in the wake of recent developments in West Asia that have raised concerns about India’s energy and supply chains.
A high-level Inter-Ministerial Briefing was held in New Delhi, addressed by senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Department of Fertilizers.
PETROLEUM AND LPG: SUPPLY STABLE, PRODUCTION RAMPED UP
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, said that refinery production of LPG has been increased to 50,000 tonnes per day to meet domestic demand and prevent any shortfall.
In the last four days alone, approximately 1 crore 72 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered across the country. OTP-based deliveries, which ensure secure and verified delivery to end consumers, have crossed 95 per cent of all transactions.
On the commercial LPG front, around 1 lakh 56 thousand tonnes were sold since the start of this month, with over 24 thousand tonnes sold in the last four days. More than 1 lakh 96 thousand five-kilogram cylinders were also sold in the last four days, catering to smaller households and commercial establishments.
On the piped natural gas (PNG) front, over 8 lakh PNG connections have been gasified since March, with infrastructure already created for an additional 2 lakh 87 thousand connections a significant step toward reducing cylinder dependency in urban areas.
The Joint Secretary urged citizens to refrain from panic buying and encouraged the adoption of alternative fuel sources wherever possible.
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS: DIASPORA AND SEAFARERS BEING SUPPORTED
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Indian embassies and consulates across the Gulf and West Asia region are actively in touch with the Indian diaspora to monitor their well-being and provide necessary assistance.
Jaiswal also confirmed that the Ministry is extending all possible support to India’s large seafaring community, which is present in significant numbers across the Gulf region. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the UAE, Jaiswal said several key agreements were signed that have given a significant boost to India’s long-term energy security.
FERTILIZERS: STOCKS AT 51% FAR ABOVE NORMAL LEVELS
Additional Secretary of the Department of Fertilizers, Aparna Sharma, said the overall stock position remains comfortable and significantly above historical norms.
Against the annual requirement of more than 390 lakh metric tonnes, the current available stock stands at over 200 lakh metric tonnes representing more than 51 per cent of the annual need. This is significantly higher than the usual buffer level of 33 per cent, giving India a strong cushion against any supply disruption from the West Asian region.
Domestic production has been strengthened with around 95 lakh metric tonnes produced within the country so far, while imports of more than 22 lakh metric tonnes have been secured taking the total combined addition to over 117 lakh metric tonnes.
For the peak Kharif season, the government has already secured 13 lakh 50 thousand metric tonnes of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and 9 lakh metric tonnes of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) complexes both essential for major crops like paddy, maize, and oilseeds.
The Additional Secretary described the overall situation as stable and well managed, adding that availability of raw materials and finished fertilizers is being reviewed regularly.
THE WEST ASIA CONTEXT
India is one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil, with the Gulf region accounting for a significant share of its energy imports. Tensions in West Asia have historically triggered volatility in global oil prices and disrupted shipping lanes both of which directly impact India’s energy security.
The government’s decision to hold a public inter-ministerial briefing signals a proactive stance to prevent panic and assure households, farmers, and industries that supply chains remain intact with adequate buffers in place.
KEY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
- LPG Refinery Production: 50,000 tonnes/day
Domestic LPG Cylinders Delivered (last 4 days): 1.72 crore - OTP-Based LPG Deliveries: Over 95%
- Commercial LPG Sold This Month: 1,56,000 tonnes
- PNG Connections Gasified Since March: Over 8 lakh
- Fertilizer Stock Available: Over 200 lakh MT (51% of annual need)
- DAP Secured for Kharif: 13.5 lakh MT NPK Secured for Kharif: 9 lakh MT
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