**Executive Summary**
This report outlines the Government of India's coordinated response to the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia as of April 26, 2026. It details measures to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, stabilize fuel prices through excise duty cuts, and safeguard Indian nationals through repatriation and travel advisories. Key actions include the extension of the National PNG Drive 2.0 to June 30, 2026, and the implementation of strict anti-hoarding enforcement across the country.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Energy Supply and Fuel Management**
* **Supply Continuity:** The government has ensured 100% supply for domestic LPG, PNG, and CNG; over 51.8 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered in a single day.
* **Demand Rationalization:** To manage stocks, LPG booking intervals have been increased to 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas.
* **Price Stabilization:** To protect consumers from rising crude prices, excise duty on petrol and diesel has been reduced by ₹10 per litre.
* **Export Restrictions:** Export levies were increased to Rs. 55.50 per litre for diesel and Rs. 42 per litre for ATF to prioritize domestic availability.
* **Priority Allocation:** Commercial LPG supply is prioritized for hospitals, educational institutions, pharma, agriculture, and steel sectors.
**Natural Gas Expansion and Infrastructure**
* **PNG Transition:** Since March 2026, 5.45 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, and the National PNG Drive 2.0 has been extended to June 30, 2026.
* **Regulatory Framework:** An "Accelerated Approval Framework" has been adopted for three months to expedite CGD infrastructure applications.
* **Alternative Fuels:** A model draft State CBG (Compressed Bio-Gas) Policy has been developed to encourage a self-reliant energy future.
**Enforcement and Monitoring**
* **Anti-Hoarding Measures:** Over 2,100 raids were conducted recently to curb black marketing; 310 LPG distributorships faced penalties, and 70 were suspended.
* **State Coordination:** States are empowered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to monitor supplies and have been directed to establish control rooms.
**Maritime Safety and International Travel**
* **Repatriation:** 2,764 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated from the Gulf region; 12.96 lakh passengers have traveled from the region to India since February 28.
* **Airspace Status:** While most regional airspaces remain open with limited flights, Iran's airspace is only partially open for cargo and chartered flights.
**Impact Analysis**
**General Citizens / Domestic Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumers benefit from stabilized retail prices despite global crude increases but face regulated LPG booking intervals.
**Action Required**
Avoid panic purchasing of fuel, utilize digital platforms for LPG bookings, and transition to alternate fuels like PNG or induction cooktops.
**State and UT Governments**
**Impact**
States are responsible for primary monitoring of essential commodities and facilitating infrastructure for gas expansion.
**Action Required**
Expedite approvals for CGD networks, intensify enforcement drives against hoarding, and issue daily public advisories to counter misinformation.
**Indian Nationals and Seafarers in West Asia**
**Impact**
Nationals face potential travel disruptions and security risks depending on their specific location within the region.
**Action Required**
Stay in contact with Indian Missions; those in Iran are specifically urged to avoid travel to the country or leave via land borders with Embassy support.
**Commercial and Industrial Entities (Pharma, Healthcare, Hotels)**
**Impact**
Priority industries receive stabilized feedstock and fuel, while commercial establishments are encouraged to shift away from LPG.
**Action Required**
Hotels and restaurants should prioritize PNG connections; pharma and chemical companies should utilize the allocated 1000 MT/day LPG pool and propylene stocks.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: The primary government entity responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and coordinating energy supply responses.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: The principal legislation empowering authorities to monitor fuel supplies and take enforcement actions against hoarding and black marketing.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): The statutory body regulating the midstream and downstream sectors, responsible for directing the expansion of gas connections and infrastructure.
Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026: A specific regulatory order notified to provide a streamlined, time-bound framework for developing and expanding natural gas pipeline infrastructure.
National PNG Drive 2.0: An initiative extended until June 2026 to accelerate the transition of consumers from LPG to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Updates on Key Sectors in View of
Developments in West Asia
No dry-outs reported at LPG distributorships; more than 51.8
Lakh domestic LPG cylinders delivered yesterday
More than 42,500 PNG consumers surrendered their LPG
connections so far
About 5.45 Lakh PNG connections gasified and infrastructure
created for additional 2.62 lakh connections, since March
2026
More than 2,764 Indian seafarers, including 24 in the past 24
hours safely repatriated from across the Gulf region
Around 12.96 lakh passengers travelled from the region to
India since 28 February
Posted On: 26 APR 2026 4:06PM by PIB Delhi
In light of the evolving situation in West Asia, the Government of India remains actively engaged in
ensuring preparedness and continuity across key sectors through coordinated response measures. The
following update outlines the steps being taken with regard to energy supply, maritime operations, and
support to Indian nationals in the region:
Energy Supply and Fuel Availability
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is taking steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of
petroleum products and LPG across the country, in the context of the ongoing situation involving the Strait
of Hormuz. As per Ministry:
Public Advisory and Citizen Awareness
Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol, diesel and LPG as the Govt is making all
efforts to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG.
Beware of rumours and rely on official sources for correct information.
LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors.
Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops.
All citizens are urged to conserve energy in their daily use during the current situation.Government Preparedness and Supply Management Measures
Despite the ongoing geopolitical situation, the Government has ensured that 100% supply is being
made to Domestic LPG, Domestic PNG and CNG (Transport).
For commercial LPG, priority has been given to hospitals, educational institutions. Besides this,
priority has also been given to pharma, steel, automobile, seed, agriculture, etc. In addition to this,
supply of 5 Kg FTL to migrant labour is also doubled based on avg. daily supply on 2nd and 3rd
March 2026.
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 fuels such as kerosene and coal have been made available to ease pressure on LPG
demand.
The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India and Singareni Collieries to allot additional coal to
States for distribution to small and medium consumers.
States have been advised to facilitate new PNG connections for domestic and commercial
consumers.
Coordinated Efforts with States/UTs and Institutional Mechanisms
State Governments are empowered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control
Order, 2000 to monitor supply and act against 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 has reiterated the same via
multiple letters and VCs to all States/UTs.
The Government of India vide letters dated 27.03.2026 and 02.04.2026 have stressed the need for
proactive public communication to reassure citizens regarding adequate fuel availability. Regular
review meetings are being held with States/UTs. In this context, meetings were convened on
02.04.2026 (Chaired by Secretary, MoPNG) and on 06.04.2026 (Chaired bySecretary, MoPNG
along with Secretaries of I&B and Consumer Affairs), wherein the following was emphasized:
To issue daily press briefings and issue regular public advisories.
To actively monitor and counter fake news / misinformation on social media.
To intensify daily enforcement drives by District admin and to continue raids and inspections
in coordination with OMCs
To issue Commercial LPG allocation orders within their States/UTs
To issue SKO allocation orders for additional SKO allotted to the States/UTs.
To promote PNG adoptions and alternate fuels.
To prioritize LPG supply, especially for domestic needs, and adopt targeted distribution of 5
kg FTL cylinders to ensure supply stability.
All States/UTs have established control rooms and district monitoring committees to curb hoarding
and black marketing.
Many states/UTs are issuing/carrying out press briefs.
Enforcement and Monitoring Actions
Enforcement actions continue across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of
LPG. Yesterday, more than 2100 raids were conducted across the country.
PSU Oil Marketing Companies have strengthened surprise inspections and imposed penalties
on 310 LPG distributorships and suspended 70 LPG distributorships till yesterday.
LPG Supply
Domestic LPG Supply Status:LPG supply continues to be affected by the prevailing geopolitical situation.
Supply of LPG to domestic households has been prioritized.
No dry-outs have been reported at LPG distributorships.
Online LPG cylinder bookings increased to about 98%on an industry basis yesterday.
Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) based deliveries have increased to about 94% to prevent
diversion. DAC is received on the registered mobile number of the consumer.
On 25.04.2026, more than 51.8 Lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered.
Commercial LPG Supply and Allocation Measures:
Total commercial LPG allocation has been increased to about 70% of pre-crisis levels, including
10% reform-linked allocation.
The Government of India vide letter dated 06.04.2026 has conveyed that daily quantity of 5 Kg FTL
cylinders in each State available for disbursal to migrant labourers is being doubled based on the
average daily supply (Number of cylinders) to migrant labourers during 2nd-3rd March 2026
beyond the limit of 20% mentioned in letter dated 21.03.2026. These 5 Kg FTL cylinders are at
disposal of the State Government for supplying only to migrant labourers in their State with
assistance of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Since 1st April 2026, more than 19.44 Lakh - 5 Kg FTL cylinders have been sold.
Yesterday, about 82,000 – 5 Kg FTL cylinders were sold across the country.
Since 3rd April 2026, PSU OMCs have organised more than 8950 awareness camps for 5 Kg
FTL Cylinders, wherein more than 1,42,000 - 5Kg FTL cylinders were also sold.
Yesterday, 3846 – 5 Kg FTLs were sold through more than 190 camps.
A three-member committee of Executive Directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL is coordinating
with State authorities and industry bodies to plan commercial LPG distribution in the States/UTs.
During the month of April-26 (till 25.04.26), a total of 1,64,655 MT (Equivalent to more than
86.66 Lakh of 19 Kg LPG Cylinders) of Commercial LPG has been sold.
On 25.04.2026, 9131 MT of Commercial LPG (Equivalent to about 4.80 Lakh - 19 Kg
cylinders) was sold
Natural Gas Supply and PNG Expansion Initiatives
Consumers have been prioritised with 100% supplies to D-PNG and CNG-Transport.
The overall gas allocation to fertilizer plants has been enhanced to approximately 95% of their six-
month average consumption.
Additionally, gas supply to other industrial and commercial sectors, including supplies through
CGD networks, is enhanced up to 80%.
CGD entities have been advised to prioritize PNG connections for commercial establishments such
as hotels, restaurants and canteens across all their GAs, to address concerns regarding the
availability of commercial LPG.
CGD companies including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL are offering incentives for domestic
and commercial PNG connections.
States/UTs and Central Ministries have been requested to expedite approvals required for expansion
of CGD networks.The Government 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.
22 States/UTs are receiving additional commercial LPG allocation linked to PNG expansion
reforms.
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways vide letter dated 24.03.26 has adopted an ‘Accelerated
Approval Framework for CGD infrastructure with reduced timelines’ as a special for 3 months to
process applications pertaining to CGD infrastructure on priority.
The Government of India vide Gazette dated 24.03.2026 has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum
Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other
Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Order provides a
streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country,
addressing delays in approvals and access to land, and enabling faster development of natural gas
infrastructure, including in residential areas. It is expected to accelerate PNG network growth,
enhance last-mile connectivity, and support the transition to cleaner fuels, thereby strengthening
energy security and advancing India’s gas-based economy.
PNGRB has directed CGD entities to expedite D-PNG connections. Also, the National PNG Drive
2.0 has been extended till 30.06.2026 to sustain momentum in PNG expansion.
To encourage a cleaner, more secure and self-reliant energy future, the Government of India has
developed a model draft State CBG Policy. The model policy is intended to serve as a
comprehensive flexible guiding framework to enable States to create their own investor-friendly and
implementation-oriented ecosystem for CBG development. Those States which opt for this, will be
prioritized for the next tranche of additional allocation of commercial LPG.
MoEFCC vide order dated 07.04.2026 has directed CPCB to issue necessary directions to
SPCB/PCCs for granting consent to establish or consent to operate within 15 days for CGD
network/infrastructure.
Since March 2026, about 5.45 Lakh PNG connections have been gasified and infrastructure
has been created for additional 2.62 lakh connections taking the total to 8.07 lakh connections.
Further, about 6.14 Lakh customers have been registered for new connections.
Till 25.04.2026, more than 42,500 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections
via MYPNGD.in website
Crude Position and Refinery Operations
All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, while sufficient stocks
of petrol and diesel are being maintained.
Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption.
An inter-ministerial Joint Working Group (JWG) has been set up to ensure availability of
petrochemical feedstock supply for the domestic market. Subsequently, Govt. of India vide order
dated 01.04.2026 has permitted Oil Refinery companies including Petrochemical Complexes to
make certain minimum quantities of C3 & C4 streams available for critical sectors as determined by
Centre for High Technology (CHT).
Based on the requests received from the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Chemicals
& Petro Chemicals (DCPC), Dept. for Promotion of Industry and internal trade (DPIIT), the
provision for 1000 MT/day, from LPG pool, has been made for Pharma and Chemical sector
companies.
Since 9th April 2026, more than 7600 MT of propylene has been sold by Mumbai, Kochi,
Vizag, Chennai and Mathura refineries to the Chemical and Pharma Industry.Retail Fuel Availability and pricing Measures
Retail outlets across the country are operating normally.
The Middle East crisis has led to an abnormal increase in crude prices; however, to protect
consumers, the Government of India has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre.
Govt. of India vide Gazette notification dated 11.04.2026 has increased the export levy on diesel to
Rs. 55.50 per litre and on ATF to Rs. 42 per litre, to ensure availability of these products in the
domestic market.
Panic Buying is observed at certain Retail Outlets due to rumours. It is informed that there are
adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all Petrol Pumps in the country. Regular Retail
Prices for Petrol and Diesel are unchanged and there is no price increase at PSU OMCs Retail
Outlets.
Kerosene Availability and Distribution Measures
An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been provided to States/UTs over and above
regular allocation.
18 States/UTs have issued SKO allocation orders, while Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have
indicated no requirement.
Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations
Necessary measures have been put in place to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the
region, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Ministry stated that:
The Ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and
maritime stakeholders to ensure seafare welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations.
All Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been
reported in the past 24 hours.
The DG Shipping Control Room has handled 7,755 calls and more than 16,518 emails since
activation. 57 calls and 192 emails have been received in the past 24 hours.
DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 2,764 Indian seafarers so far,
including 24 in the past 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region.
Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported.
Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region,
with focussed efforts on ensuring safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region. It
was informed that:
Indian Missions and Posts continue to operate round-the-clock helplines and are proactively
assisting Indian nationals. They remain in close contact with the local Governments.
Updated advisories are being issued regularly, including information on local government
guidelines, flight and travel situations and consular services and various welfare measures being
undertaken to support our community.
Indian Missions remain actively engaged with the Indian community including the various
associations, organizations, professional groups, Indian companies and other stakeholders in the
region.Government is according high priority to the welfare of Indian seafarers in the region. Indian
Missions are extending all assistance to the Indian crew members on vessels in the region including
coordination with the local authorities and agencies, extending consular assistance and facilitating
requests to return to India.
Since 28 February, around 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India.
In the UAE, airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights between the UAE and India
based on operational and safety considerations, with around 110 flights expected today between
UAE and India.
Flights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to destinations in India.
With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is operating flights to various destinations in
India.
Kuwait airspace is open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have resumed limited flight
operations from Kuwait to India.
Bahrain airspace is open. Gulf Air is operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India.
Iraq airspace is open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region, which can be used
for onward travel to India.
Iran airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. Indian nationals are advised to
avoid travelling to Iran and those already there in Iran are urged to leave via land border,
with our Embassy’s support. So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated movement
of 2,445 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes.
Israel: Israel airspace is open and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the
region, which can be used for onward travel to India.
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