New Delhi: The government on Tuesday urged households to use LPG judiciously as supply constraints intensify due to the prolonged conflict in West Asia.
Officials also advised consumers to consider alternative cooking options such as piped natural gas (PNG), electric stoves, and induction cooktops wherever feasible.
“We would like to appeal to consumers that wherever possible use alternative fuel sources like PNG connections, induction and electric cooktop. Use LPG judiciously and conserve wherever possible,” Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, told an inter-ministerial press briefing.
The appeal comes as six Indian-flagged LPG vessels carrying around 2.7 lakh metric tonnes of gas remain stranded on the western side of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route affected by the ongoing war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
In a partial relief, LPG vessel Shivalik, carrying around 46,000 tonnes of LPG, arrived at the Mundra port Monday. A second LPG carrier, Nanda Devi, reached Gujarat’s Kandla port early Tuesday, bringing approximately 46,000 tonnes of gas.
To stabilise domestic availability, the government said LPG production at Indian refineries has been ramped up by 38 percent compared to levels on 5 March.
Officials also highlighted efforts to diversify import sources. While the bulk of LPG continues to be sourced from Gulf countries, oil marketing companies (OMCs) have also started procuring supplies from the United States in recent months.
“Most of the LPG is coming from the Gulf. In the last 2-3 months, our OMCs have started taking LPG from the United States. The government is putting all efforts to diversify sources of LPG,” Sharma said.
To curb hoarding and black marketing, authorities have intensified enforcement measures under the Essential Commodities Act. The government said that around 12,000 raids were conducted nationwide until 16 March, resulting in the seizure of over 15,000 LPG cylinders.
“The inspection teams of our oil marketing companies have also been activated and surprise inspections have been conducted at about 2,500 retail outlets and LPG distributorships,” Sharma said.
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Panic booking ‘easing’
Due to regular outreach, the officials noted that panic booking of cylinders is now easing. “The trend of panic booking for LPG cylinders is coming down. On March 13, there were 89 lakh bookings. It has come down to 70 lakh yesterday,” Sharma said.
Meanwhile, concerns persist over Indian vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that 22 Indian-flagged ships, including six carrying LPG, remain stuck on the west side of the Strait of Hormuz.
“22 Indian flag vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. The vessel and all Indian seafarers on board are safe,” Sinha said.
On the timeline for their return, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said diplomatic efforts are underway with Iran and other countries.
He also provided an update on the evacuation of Indian nationals from the region. Around 700 Indians, including students, have exited Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan since the conflict began.
“Yesterday, I told you that around 650 Indian nationals, including students, had crossed over from Iran into Armenia and Azerbaijan and were returning home from there. In addition to that figure, 50 more Indian nationals have crossed over to Armenia, and a few more to Azerbaijan,” Jaiswal said.
Additionally, of the 284 Indian pilgrims who had travelled to Iran, 130 are expected to return to Delhi later during the day.
Reiterating India’s position on the escalating tensions in West Asia, Jaiswal said, “From the very beginning, we have been saying that it has been our position that a dialogue path should be established. A diplomatic channel should be established to bring this conflict to an end as soon as possible.”
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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