ADITAYA RAJ DAS / NEW DELHI
Amid rising tensions in West Asia, the government of India has assured that there is no disruption in the supply of LPG cylinders across the country, with domestic households continuing to receive uninterrupted service. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that LPG availability remains at 100 per cent, with no reports of shortages at distributorships.
The ministry highlighted a significant rise in digital engagement, noting that online bookings for LPG cylinders touched 99 per cent, while OTP-based deliveries exceeded 94 per cent—indicating improved transparency and efficiency in distribution.
To prevent hoarding and black marketing, authorities conducted more than 1,700 raids nationwide in a single day. Since April, over 22.78 lakh 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders and more than two lakh metric tonnes of commercial LPG have been supplied, ensuring steady market availability.
In parallel, the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure has gained pace. Around 5.96 lakh PNG connections have been activated, while infrastructure for an additional 2.68 lakh connections has been put in place since March. Notably, over 43,000 consumers have voluntarily shifted from LPG to PNG, reflecting a gradual transition in urban energy consumption.
The petrochemical sector has also maintained momentum, with refineries across key cities—including Mumbai, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Mathura and Gujarat—supplying over 10,000 metric tonnes of propylene and 1,200 metric tonnes of butyl acrylate to industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and paints.
Meanwhile, fuel retail outlets across the country continue to operate normally, with no disruptions reported.
On the maritime front, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Gulf region are safe. No incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours, and 30 seafarers have been safely repatriated.
The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia, ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian citizens abroad. Indian embassies and consulates remain on high alert, operating 24/7 helplines and extending assistance to those in need.