**Executive Summary**
This report details assurances from the Government of Maharashtra and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) regarding the stable supply of petroleum products despite Middle East geopolitical tensions. As of May 18, 2026, authorities have confirmed adequate stocks of petrol, diesel, and LPG, while implementing measures to expand PNG infrastructure. Key actions include ongoing weekly state-level reviews and strict enforcement against hoarding under the Essential Commodities Act.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Petrol and Diesel Supply Status**
* Adequate stocks are maintained at both retail outlets and storage locations across Maharashtra.
* Despite a surge in demand during the first fortnight of May 2026 (19.66% for diesel and 20.39% for petrol), requirements were fully met with the supply of 267 TKL of petrol and 502 TKL of diesel.
* Continuous monitoring and replenishment are in place to prevent disruptions.
* **LPG Distribution and Regulations**
* A total of 32,995 MT of LPG stock is available across PSU OMCs.
* **Domestic LPG:** Delivery continues based on bookings with mandatory Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) verification; booking intervals are restricted to 25 days for urban and 45 days for rural customers.
* **Commercial LPG:** Supply is at 60% of pre-war levels, though priority sectors (hospitals, schools, social institutions) receive 100% supply.
* **Migrant Support:** Approximately 23,000 5kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) refills are distributed daily to migrant laborers.
* **Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Infrastructure Expansion**
* Deemed permissions were issued on March 27, 2026, to expedite pipeline laying by municipal and state authorities.
* A fast-track expansion drive has resulted in 94,220 new PNG connections since April 1, 2026.
* PNG applications are now accepted from both registered and unregistered housing societies.
* **Enforcement and Vigilance**
* District Collectors have established vigilance and mobile teams to conduct raids and prevent black marketing.
* As of May 17, 2026, 9,494 raids have been conducted, resulting in the seizure of 4,449 cylinders and 52 arrests under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
* **Kerosene Distribution**
* Distribution of 268 KL of kerosene has commenced across 12 specific districts, including Gadchiroli, Nashik, and Thane.
**Impact Analysis**
**Consumers / Citizens**
**Impact:** Affected by global supply chain disruptions and potential price/availability concerns; subject to new booking interval restrictions for LPG.
**Action Required:** Refrain from panic buying or hoarding; use digital platforms for LPG bookings; ensure DAC/OTP is ready for delivery verification.
**Oil Marketing Companies (BPCL, IOCL, HPCL)**
**Impact:** Tasked with managing a sharp increase in fuel demand while maintaining stocks amid geopolitical instability.
**Action Required:** Monitor and replenish retail outlet stocks regularly; participate in weekly state-level review meetings; prioritize supply to essential sectors.
**District Administrations and Collectors**
**Impact:** Responsible for maintaining order and legal distribution within their jurisdictions.
**Action Required:** Constitute vigilance teams; conduct inspections and raids; take strict legal action against individuals involved in hoarding or illegal domestic gas use.
**City Gas Distribution (CGD) Companies**
**Impact:** Provided with deemed permissions to bypass previous administrative delays in infrastructure projects.
**Action Required:** Expedite the laying of PNG pipelines; undertake publicity campaigns to encourage new connections; process applications from various types of housing societies.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra: The central location where the availability of petroleum products is being monitored and infrastructure is being expanded.
Oil Marketing Companies (BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL): The primary entities responsible for maintaining adequate stocks and supply chains for petrol, diesel, and LPG.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: The legislation under which strict action and raids are being conducted to prevent hoarding and black marketing of fuel.
Food & Civil Supplies Department: The state government department overseeing review meetings and coordinating the distribution of petroleum products.
PNG network expansion drive: An initiative to fast-track the development of Piped Natural Gas infrastructure and connections across the state.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
State Government and OMCs assure adequate
availability of Petroleum Products across
Maharashtra
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 5:53PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 18 May 2026
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East impacting global supply chains, the
Government of Maharashtra and Oil Marketing Companies (BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL), through the
State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), Maharashtra, Shri Mihir Ganesh Joshi, have assured
consumers that adequate LPG, petrol, and diesel stocks are available across the State of
Maharashtra. Supply operations are being closely monitored and maintained without disruption.
Stock & Supply Position of Petroleum Products in Maharashtra
Petrol & Diesel
The Oil Marketing Companies have assured that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel
available at petrol pumps as well as storage locations of oil companies across Maharashtra.
Stocks at petrol pumps are being regularly monitored by the State Government and Oil
Companies and replenished to ensure uninterrupted availability.
All three PSU Oil Marketing Companies have recently observed a sharp surge in demand for
diesel and petrol at retail outlets across the state. However, the increased demand has been
fully met by the PSU Oil Companies. During the first fortnight of May 2026, a growth of 19.66%
in diesel demand and 20.39% in petrol demand was observed. A total of 267 TKL petrol and 502
TKL diesel was supplied in Maharashtra during the first fortnight of May 2026. Consumers have
been requested not to resort to panic buying, as sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are
available across the state.
LPG
Maharashtra currently has approximately 32,995 MT of LPG stock available across all three PSU
Oil Marketing Companies, while distributor stocks are being regularly replenished to ensure
smooth supply.
Domestic LPG
Adequate domestic LPG cylinder stocks are available and deliveries are continuing as per
customer bookings. To ensure equitable distribution, booking interval restrictions remain in
place, with a 25-day interval for urban customers and 45 days for rural customers. Oil
Companies have assured that LPG refills will continue to be delivered directly to customers’
residences.
Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) verification remains mandatory at the time of delivery to
ensure secure and verified supply, with more than 90% of refills currently being delivered
through DAC/OTP authentication. Consumers have also been advised to use digital platforms for
refill bookings and avoid visiting LPG showrooms unnecessarily.Non-Domestic/Commercial LPG
At present, nearly 60% of commercial LPG supply, compared to the pre-war situation, is being
met while ensuring 100% supply to priority sectors such as hospitals, educational institutions,
crematoriums, and social care institutions.
In addition, 5 kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) refills are being distributed for migrant labourers as per
Government directives, with approximately 23,000 cylinders being delivered daily on average
during the last week.
Piped Natural Gas (PNG)
Considering the present supply emergency and the urgent need to expand piped natural gas
infrastructure, the Government of Maharashtra issued deemed permission on 27 March 2026 for
pending applications related to CGD pipeline laying by Municipal Corporations, PWD, Irrigation
Department, and other concerned authorities.
Maharashtra currently has approximately 44 lakh PNG connections, the highest in the country.
To expedite PNG network expansion across the State, the Government of Maharashtra initiated a
fast-track expansion drive in line with the Government of India notification dated 24 March 2026
aimed at strengthening PNG infrastructure amid global energy disruptions.
Weekly state-level review meetings have been held since April 2026 by the Additional Chief
Secretary, Food & Civil Supplies Department, Government of Maharashtra, along with the State
Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), Maharashtra, with participation from District Administrations
and CGD companies to review on-ground implementation and expedite network expansion.
Applications for PNG connections are being accepted from registered as well as unregistered or
proposed housing societies. Residents of buildings constructed under individual housing
schemes may also submit collective or individual applications as applicable. CGD companies and
their authorized distributors are simultaneously undertaking extensive publicity campaigns to
encourage new PNG connections across the state.
From 1 April 2026 onwards, a total of 94,220 new PNG gas connections have been energized in
Maharashtra, which is among the highest in the country.
The State Government has taken several proactive measures to ensure uninterrupted petroleum
product supply and prevent black marketing and hoarding activities across Maharashtra. District
Collectors have been instructed to constitute vigilance and mobile teams at the district level to
conduct inspections and raids. Strict action is being taken under the Essential Commodities Act,
1955 against individuals involved in illegal use of domestic gas, hoarding, and black marketing.
As on 17 May 2026, a total of 9,494 raids have been conducted across the state, resulting in the
seizure of 4,449 cylinders. Further, 70 FIRs have been registered and 52 persons arrested in
connection with irregularities related to petroleum product distribution.
Regular review meetings are also being conducted with Oil Marketing Companies (BPCL, HPCL,
and IOCL), gas distributors, and CGD companies to ensure smooth and regular supply of petrol,
diesel, LPG, and PNG throughout the state.
In addition, distribution of kerosene allocated by the Government of India has commenced in
Maharashtra. A total of 268 KL of kerosene has been distributed in the districts of Gadchiroli,
Gondia, Nashik, Nagpur, Palghar, Thane, Dharashiv, Solapur, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati
Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Raigad.
In view of the above, citizens across Maharashtra have been requested not to resort to panic
buying or hoarding of petroleum products. The Government of India, Government of
Maharashtra, and Oil Companies are ensuring proper and smooth supply of petroleum products
to the people of the State.
* * *PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Pujari Swami/Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane
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