Govt assures uninterrupted LPG supply, urges public to avoid panic booking

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday assured that domestic LPG supply across the country remains stable and uninterrupted urging citizens not to engage in panic booking of cooking gas cylinders despite concerns arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict reported PTIAddressing a media briefing Sujata Sharma said the government has taken several measures to ensure continuous availability of LPG for householdsLPG production increased by 30 per cent since March 5Sharma said domestic production of liquefied petroleum gas has increased significantly in recent daysldquoDomestic production of LPG has already increased by about 30 per cent since March 5 There is no need for panic booking and no dryout has been reported at any LPG dealerrdquo she said reported PTIHowever she noted that LPG bookings have surged sharply in recent days due to public anxiety According to official data bookings have risen to 757 lakh compared with the preconflict daily average of 557 lakhOfficials said the spike reflects precautionary or panic booking rather than any actual shortage of LPG suppliesWest Asia conflict impacts global energy routesThe concerns come amid escalating tensions in West Asia that have affected global energy supply chainsEnergy flows through the Strait of Hormuz one of the worldrsquos most critical energy transit routes have been disrupted following the widening conflict that began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched strikes on IranThe 50milelong waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea carries roughly onefifth of the worldrsquos oil and liquefied natural gas shipmentsIndia depends heavily on energy imports sourcing about 88 per cent of its crude oil 50 per cent of its LNG requirements and nearly 60 per cent of its LPG imports through routes passing via the straitPetrol and diesel supplies remain stableDespite the disruptions the government said petrol and diesel availability across the country remains stableSharma stated that India has a refining capacity of 258 million metric tonnes and is selfsufficient in the production of petrol and dieselldquoAll refineries in the country are operating at 100 per cent capacity or higher and have adequate crude oil inventories Supplies are being consistently maintainedrdquo she said reported PTINo supply disruptions reported at LPG distributorsThe official said there are around 25000 LPG distributors across the country and none has reported any supply disruption or stockoutShe appealed to citizens not to spread rumours or engage in unnecessary booking of cylindersldquoPetrol and diesel are available in adequate quantities at all petrol pumps and LPG supply is being maintained I urge citizens not to give credence to rumoursrdquo Sharma saidPNG and CNG supplies continuing without interruptionSharma also said the supply of Piped Natural Gas PNG and Compressed Natural Gas remains uninterrupted across the country reported PTIHowever she acknowledged that some commercial consumers in large cities who depend on LPG are facing difficulties due to the current supply pressuresThe government has advised such users to approach their local City Gas Distribution providers to obtain PNG connections as an alternative energy sourceOfficials reiterated that the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking steps to ensure that households and essential services continue to receive uninterrupted energy suppliesWith inputs from PTI