A Akhter / New Delhi
— The government on Tuesday reaffirmed that domestic LPG supply across India remains stable, with no reports of shortages at distributor levels, even as global energy markets face volatility due to ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, stated that despite rising international prices of crude oil and LPG, the government has ensured uninterrupted supply for domestic consumers. She emphasized that proactive measures have prevented any disruption in availability across the country.
On the logistics front, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, highlighted significant improvements in port efficiency. Container dwell time at western ports has been reduced by 97 percent, while average yard occupancy has dropped from 80 percent to 60 percent. He noted that enhanced coordination between shipping lines and exporters has helped ease pressure on trade operations during the crisis. Mangal also confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, with vessels and crew under continuous government monitoring.
Providing a diplomatic perspective, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is closely tracking developments in West Asia and maintaining active engagement with key regional partners. He pointed to recent visits by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to the UAE and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to Saudi Arabia, along with ongoing outreach by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. These efforts, he said, are focused on safeguarding energy security, protecting the interests of the Indian diaspora, and strengthening cooperation with Gulf nations.
Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, Aseem Mahajan, informed that 12 Indian seafarers stranded in Iraq were successfully repatriated to Mumbai following the reopening of Iraqi airspace. Indian missions in Baghdad facilitated their safe return. He added that flight operations from Saudi Arabia and Oman to multiple Indian destinations are continuing without disruption.
Meanwhile, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying confirmed that milk procurement, processing, and distribution remain unaffected nationwide. Director Puja Rustagi stated that prices of milk and dairy products are stable, with no supply disruptions reported. Payments to dairy farmers have also continued smoothly, supported by close monitoring and proactive measures by the government.
Responding to a query on the recent fire incident at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited, Sujata Sharma said a dedicated investigation team has been deployed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The team has already reached Barmer to assess the situation and determine the cause of the incident.
Overall, the government emphasized that coordinated efforts across ministries are ensuring stability in essential supplies, trade operations, and citizen welfare despite the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.