New Delhi: The Central government on Saturday held the fourth inter-ministerial briefing at the National Media Centre to share updates on the situation arising from recent developments in West Asia. Similar briefings were held earlier on March 11, 12, and 13.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting shared updates on energy supplies, maritime operations, and the safety of Indian nationals in the region, according to an official statement.
An official from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all refineries in the country are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories. The official added that India remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, and the country does not require imports of these fuels to meet domestic demand.
The ministry also said no cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported at retail outlets by oil marketing companies. The government advised citizens not to resort to panic buying, stating that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available and supplies continue regularly.
On natural gas supplies, the ministry said priority sectors remain fully protected. It confirmed 100% supply to PNG and CNG consumers without any cuts. Supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are currently regulated at around 80%.
State-run GAIL also held a virtual meeting with City Gas Distribution entities operating in major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Jaipur. The company advised them to expedite new commercial PNG connections for hotels and restaurants to reduce pressure on LPG supplies.
The ministry noted that LPG supply remains an area of concern due to the prevailing geopolitical situation. However, it said no dry-out has been reported at LPG distributorships across the country.
Officials said LPG bookings surged due to panic buying. Daily bookings increased from an average of 55.7 lakh to 88.8 lakh on Friday. Authorities have made commercial LPG cylinders available for priority distribution in 29 States and Union Territories. Online bookings currently account for around 84 percent of total cylinder requests.
Several state governments have also reviewed the supply situation. The chief ministers of Haryana and Goa held meetings with senior officials and oil companies to assess LPG demand and supply. The Telangana chief secretary also reviewed LPG stocks, supply, and distribution with oil marketing companies and civil supplies officials. Oil companies held a similar meeting with the Andhra Pradesh Commissioner of Civil Supplies to discuss developments related to LPG and other petroleum products.
Officials said 17 States and Union Territories have set up control rooms to monitor the supply of essential commodities, including petrol, diesel, and LPG.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said no new shipping incidents involving Indian seafarers were reported in the past 24 hours, and all Indian crew members in the region remain safe.
Two Indian-flag LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying about 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday. The vessels are scheduled to reach Mundra Port and Kandla Port on March 16 and 17, respectively.
Authorities said 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping continues to monitor the situation in coordination with ship owners, recruitment agencies and Indian missions abroad.
In the last 24 hours, the DG Shipping control room handled about 312 calls and 460 emails from seafarers, families, and maritime stakeholders. Over the past 15 days, it has handled 2,737 calls and more than 4,900 emails.
A Quick Response Team at DG Shipping is operating round the clock to coordinate with shipping companies, embassies, and insurers. Officials said concerns raised by around 1,300 seafarers and their families have been addressed.
Authorities also repatriated 30 seafarers from airports and regional locations across the Gulf in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of repatriations to 253.
The government is also working with ports, shipping lines, and logistics stakeholders to minimise disruptions to maritime trade. Major ports have prioritised berthing for LPG vessels to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.
The Ministry of External Affairs said India continues to monitor the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. It reiterated that the safety and welfare of Indian nationals remain the government’s top priority.
India has called for the de-escalation of tensions and the resolution of issues through dialogue. Officials said the country remains in close contact with key stakeholders, including GCC countries, Iran, the US, and Israel, at political and diplomatic levels.
Indian missions in the region continue to assist citizens through 24×7 helplines and advisories. Since February 28, around 1.72 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region as air connectivity gradually improves.
In Sohar, Oman, two Indian nationals died and 10 others sustained minor injuries in an incident reported on Friday. The Indian Embassy is assisting the affected persons and coordinating with local authorities.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting warned citizens against misinformation circulating on social media, including AI-generated videos and misleading messages.
Officials urged people to rely only on verified information shared through official government platforms. The ministry also advised consumers to book LPG cylinders through online or digital platforms such as SMS, portals, or IVRS instead of visiting distributors.y and availability of essential commodities across the country.
