**Executive Summary**
This report details the Government of India’s preparedness and response measures as of March 21, 2026, regarding ongoing developments in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Key actions include ensuring stable energy supplies through the prioritization of Piped Natural Gas (PNG), managing Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) allocations, and safeguarding Indian maritime interests and nationals. Notable deadlines include a 10-day limit for the disposal of City Gas Distribution (CGD) applications by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO).
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Energy Supply and Fuel Management**
* **Refinery Operations:** All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.
* **Natural Gas Transition:** The government is incentivizing a shift from LPG to PNG for commercial establishments (hotels, restaurants, canteens) and government buildings.
* **LPG Supply Rationalization:** Domestic LPG supply is prioritized, but booking intervals have been increased to 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas. Commercial LPG allocation is currently capped at 50%.
* **Alternative Fuels:** To ease LPG demand, 48,000 KL of additional kerosene has been allocated, and coal is being provided as an alternative for small and medium consumers.
**Regulatory and Enforcement Actions**
* **Fast-tracking Infrastructure:** Central Ministries and State Governments must expedite CGD infrastructure approvals. PESO is directed to process applications within 10 days.
* **Anti-Hoarding Measures:** Over 3,500 raids have been conducted across States/UTs to check hoarding and black marketing, resulting in the seizure of approximately 1,400 cylinders.
* **Monitoring Committees:** 32 States/UTs have established control rooms and District Level Monitoring Committees to oversee the supply of essential commodities.
**Maritime Safety and Repatriation**
* **Shipping Security:** The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is monitoring 22 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf; no congestion is reported at Indian ports.
* **Repatriation Efforts:** Since February 28, 2026, approximately 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India. The DG Shipping Control Room has facilitated the safe repatriation of 534 seafarers.
* **Diplomatic Engagement:** The Prime Minister has held discussions with the leaders of Iran and Bahrain to ensure the safety of the Indian community and the security of shipping lanes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Commercial Establishments (Restaurants, Hotels, Canteens)**
**Impact**
Faced with restricted commercial LPG allocations (capped at 50%) and a push toward alternative energy sources.
**Action Required**
Prioritize the transition to PNG connections and utilize incentives offered by CGD companies; implement energy conservation practices.
**State and UT Governments**
**Impact**
Responsible for local energy security, infrastructure approvals, and market regulation.
**Action Required**
Expedite approvals for CGD network expansion; maintain strict vigilance against hoarding; establish control rooms if not already in place.
**General Public / Domestic Consumers**
**Impact**
Subject to longer LPG booking intervals and advised against panic buying despite stable petrol and diesel stocks.
**Action Required**
Avoid panic bookings; utilize digital modes for transactions; consider switching to alternate fuels such as induction cooktops or PNG.
**Central Government Ministries**
**Impact**
Required to lead the transition to PNG within government-controlled infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Designate a nodal officer to coordinate PNG demand assessments; fast-track pending permissions for gas infrastructure.
**Indian Nationals and Seafarers in West Asia**
**Impact**
Directly affected by regional instability, airspace closures in certain countries, and safety risks.
**Action Required**
Maintain close contact with Indian Missions; utilize 24x7 helplines; follow advisories regarding alternative travel routes via Saudi Arabia.
Key Entities Referenced
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: The primary legal framework empowering state governments to curb hoarding, black marketing, and regulate the supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) network: The infrastructure initiative being fast-tracked to transition commercial and domestic consumers from LPG to Piped Natural Gas (PNG).
LPG Control Order, 2000: A specific regulatory order used alongside the Essential Commodities Act to monitor and prevent malpractices in fuel distribution.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): The regulator responsible for directing gas entities to shorten application timelines and expedite the expansion of gas networks.
Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO): The government body mandated to fast-track and dispose of CGD-related infrastructure applications on a 10-day priority basis.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Updates on Key Sectors in View of
Developments in West Asia
CGD Entities Advised to Prioritise PNG Connections for
Commercial Establishments
Ministries asked to fast-track CGD approvals and promote
PNG use in government establishments
Commercial LPG consumers in major cities and urban areas
advised to switch to PNG
Further 20% commercial LPG approved for States for
restaurants, subsidised canteens and migrant workers (5 kg
FTL), overall allocation now 50%
Raids continue across States/UTs to check LPG hoarding and
black marketing
India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no
congestion reported across ports
Developments in Gulf and West Asia continue to be
monitored, with priority on safety and welfare of Indian
community
15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu safely return
to India from Iraq
Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 4:40PM by PIB Delhi
An update on the preparedness and response measures being undertaken by the Government of India in
light of the ongoing developments in West Asia is shared below. These cover key areas including energy
supply, maritime operations, and support for Indian nationals in the region.
Energy Supply and Fuel AvailabilityIn view of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, steps have been taken to ensure stable availability of
petroleum products and LPG across the country. The current position is as follows:
Crude/Refineries
· All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude inventories in place. The
country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel.
· Domestic LPG Production from refineries has been increased.
Retail Outlets
· No cases of fuel dry outs have been reported at any of the ROs by the Oil Marketing Companies.
The Government reiterates its advice to the public not to resort to panic buying, as adequate stocks
of petrol and diesel are available and supplies are being maintained regularly.
Natural Gas
· Priority sectors have been protected for their supplies including 100% supply to D-PNG and
CNG-Transport. Supplies to industrial & commercial consumers connected on grid is at 80% of
their average consumption.
· City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities have also been advised by Govt. of India to prioritize PNG
connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens across all their
Gas, to address concerns regarding the availability of commercial LPG.
· CGD Companies like IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL have offered incentives for taking
domestic and Commercial PNG connections.
· CGD entities have been directed by PNGRB to shorten the timeline between the submission of
applications and the commencement of gas supply to consumer households.
· Govt. of India vide letter date 16.03.2026 has requested Govt. of States/UTs to expedite approval
of applications required for expansion of CGD network.
· Govt. 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.
· In addition, the Govt. of India vide letter dated 19.03.2026 have requested all concerned Central
Government Ministries-
Ø To issue necessary directions to the concerned Department/Bodies for immediate fast
tracking and disposal of all pending and new permissions related to CGD infrastructure.
Ø A streamlined and time bound mechanism for processing future CGD related permission
requests may also be put in place.
Ø All Central Government establishments/Colonies/Officers/Canteens may also be advised
to switch over to PNG wherever the same is available.
· Govt. of India vide letter dated 20.03.2026 has requested all Central Govt. Ministries to
undertake a comprehensive assessment of potential demand for PNG connections in establishments
under various Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India and to designate a nodal officer from
each Ministry/Department to coordinate this exercise.
· In response to above Govt. of India letter, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO)
has advised all its offices to dispose off CGD applications on priority i.e., within 10 days of
receipt.· Commercial LPG consumers in the major cities and urban area have been requested to switch to
PNG.
LPG
· Supply of LPG is still a concern in view of prevailing geopolitical situation.
Domestic LPG Supply:
· No reported dry-out at LPG distributorships.
· Majority of the Deliveries are happening via Delivery authentication code (DAC).
· Panic bookings have reduced.
· Delivery of Domestic LPG Cylinders is normal.
Commercial LPG supply:
· Govt. has already restored Partial Commercial LPG supply (20%) to consumers. Further, Govt. of
India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has proposed to allocate additional 10% of Commercial LPG to
States/UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.
· Govt. 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 Govt. or local bodies for food, community kitchens, 5 Kg FTL for
migrant labourers.
· 20 States/UTs have issued orders to allocate the Non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines
issued by the Govt. of India. For rest of the States/UTs, PSU Oil Marketing companies are
releasing Commercial LPG cylinders. A total of around 13,479 MT has been uplifted during last
one week by commercial entities in the States/UTs.
· Educational Institutions and Hospitals have been prioritised and around 50% of the total
commercial LPG allocation is going to these sectors.
Kerosene
· Additional allocation of 48000 KL of Kerosene over and above the regular allocation has been
made to all the States/UTs.
· States/UTs have been requested to identify locations in districts for distribution of kerosene.
· 15 States/UTs have issued SKO allocation orders. Further, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have
communicated that there is no SKO requirement in the State/UT. As on date, 17 States/UTs are yet
to issue SKO allocation orders.
Meetings conducted by State Governments
· Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000, State Govt. are
empowered to act against any hoarding and black marketing. Govt. of States/UTs have to play a
primary role in monitoring and regulating supply situation of essential commodities including
Petrol, Diesel and LPG.
· Govt. 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.
· 32 States/UTs have setup control rooms. Many of the States/UTs are doing daily press briefs also.
· 32 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
· Raids continue to be carried out in many of the States/UTs to check the hoardings and black
marketing of LPG. More than 3,500 raids have been conducted and around 1400 cylinders have
been seized in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra etc.
· All the States/UTs govt. are requested to conduct regular raids so that black marketing and
hoardings can be arrested.
· PSU OMCs officials have conducted surprise inspections at more than 2,000 RO and LPG
distributorships across the country to ensure smooth supplies and to check any hoardings/black
marketing cases.
Other Government Measures
· Despite this war situation, Government’s has given highest priority to Domestic LPG and PNG,
along with high priority to hospitals and educational institutions.
· The Government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply
and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21
to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply.
· Alternate fuel options like Kerosene and coal have been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand.
MoEFCC has already advised State Pollution Control Board for permitting the use of kerosene and
coal as alternate use.
· 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 the new PNG connections for both domestic and
commercial consumers. A proposal for 10% additional allocation of commercial LPG has been
made to the States facilitating and expediting the process.
Public Advisory
· Government is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability and delivery of LPG
cylinders to households; citizens are advised to rely only on official sources and avoid rumours.
· Citizens are requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital modes for LPG bookings, and refrain
from visiting distributorships; home delivery of cylinders is being ensured.· While panic bookings have declined, isolated instances of crowding at distributorships have been
reported; consumers are advised not to queue up and await deliveries at home.
· Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric/induction cooktops, and
to adopt energy conservation practices in daily usage.
Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations
Necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in
the region. As per Ministry:
· The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is closely monitoring shipping movements, port
operations, safety of Indian seafarers and continuity of maritime trade; all Indian seafarers in the
region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 24 hours.
· A total of 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf
region; DG Shipping is monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies
and Indian Missions.
· In one incident, an Indian seafarer (Master of Panama-flagged vessel ASP Avana) passed away on
18.03.2026; DG Shipping is coordinating with the Indian Mission in UAE and extending full
support to the family.
· The DG Shipping Control Room remains operational 24x7 and has handled 3,670 calls and 6,929
emails since activation (including 120 calls and 181 emails in the past 24 hours); over 534 Indian
seafarers have been safely repatriated so far, including 21 in the last 24 hours.
· India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports;
the Ministry remains in close coordination with State Maritime Boards and other stakeholders to
ensure safety of seafarers and uninterrupted maritime trade and port operations.
Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region
· Indian Missions and Posts remain in touch with the Indian community and continue to
extend assistance, along with issuing necessary advisories for their safety and well-being. As
informed by Ministry:
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke today with President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian,
extending Eid and Nowruz greetings; both leaders discussed the West Asia situation, expressed hope
for peace and stability, condemned attacks on critical infrastructure impacting global supply chains,
reiterated the need to keep shipping lanes open and secure, and appreciated Iran’s support for Indian
nationals.
• Prime Minister spoke yesterday with the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al
Khalifa, and exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings; the two sides reviewed the situation in West Asia,
strongly denounced attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure impacting global food, fuel and
fertilizer security, stressed the need for uninterrupted maritime movement, and acknowledged His
Majesty’s continued support for the well-being of the Indian community in Bahrain.
· Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia
region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community as the highest priority; a
dedicated 24x7 control room remains operational, and coordination is ongoing with State
Governments and UTs.
· Indian Missions and Posts across the region are functioning round the clock, operating helplines,
issuing advisories, and maintaining close contact with community organisations and local
authorities; assistance continues for seafarers, students, stranded nationals and short-term visitors.· Since 28 February, around 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region.
· From the UAE, around 90 flights are expected to operate today; flights are also continuing from
Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar is operating 8–10 non-scheduled flights with partial
reopening of its airspace.
· With airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain, alternative arrangements are in place: flights are
being operated via Saudi Arabia (including from Dammam and Al Qaisumah airports), and travel
of Indian nationals is being facilitated through Saudi Arabia.
· 15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu have safely returned to India from Iraq.
· In separate incidents, 6 Indian nationals have lost their lives and 1 remains missing; Missions in
the region are coordinating with authorities for search efforts and early repatriation of mortal
remains.
***
MN
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