(Image source from: english.mathrubhumi.com)
The Centre mentioned on Saturday that "LPG is a worried issue right now" but added that no distribution center has reported running out of it. They noted that there has been a significant increase in "panic booking of LPG" due to the growing conflict in West Asia. India is the second-largest purchaser of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) globally, with 90 percent of it traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a crucial transit point where movement has nearly stopped. The Centre emphasized that the supply of crude oil is sufficient, and diesel and petrol are available. "There is too much panic booking for LPG. Please place bookings only when you truly need it," a high-ranking official from the Ministry told journalists. The official stated that approximately 8.8 million, or 88 lakh, panic bookings have been noticed. The official also mentioned that decisions about supplying cylinders to commercial users will be made in discussion with the relevant state governments.
The official indicated that bookings for commercial cylinders have started in all states. They added that ongoing raids are taking place to stop black market sales of cylinders, highlighting that state governments need to play an important role in this. Joint teams, which include members from oil companies, have been set up in various states. "On March 13, Oil Marketing Companies conducted over 1,300 unexpected checks. In Uttar Pradesh, surprise checks were performed at 1,400 spots," said the official. Two Indian-flagged ships loaded with LPG from Gulf nations safely navigated the conflict-affected Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, according to a senior Shipping Ministry official. The LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now en route to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, as stated by Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping. These ships are carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG and are expected to arrive at Indian ports on March 16 or 17.
These two vessels were among 24 ships that were stuck on the west side of the strait since the conflict began in the area. The Union Petroleum Ministry stated on Friday that the supply of LPG to households in India is unaffected, with steady deliveries also guaranteed for hospitals and educational facilities. Earlier on Thursday, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reassured Parliament that India's energy supply is secure, despite significant global challenges due to the conflict with Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
