New Delhi, March 19: In light of potential LPG shortages, the Indian government announced on Thursday that the country is now sourcing gas from the United States in addition to the Middle East. This move aims to address disruptions in the supply chain.
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated during a daily briefing that the ongoing conflict in the region is concerning. However, there are no reports of LPG shortages at any distributor in the country.
She noted that online bookings have surged to 94%, with approximately 83% of cylinder deliveries being authenticated via delivery codes. Sharma mentioned a decrease in panic bookings, with around 5.7 million refill requests recorded on Wednesday. LPG cylinder deliveries continue to operate normally.
Sharma also highlighted that the operations of crude oil and refineries in the country are running smoothly. The supply of domestic PNG and CNG remains at 100%. She urged citizens to use PNG where possible, as over 5,600 consumers have transitioned from LPG to PNG in the past three days.
She explained that any issues in the Middle East directly impact India. Consequently, the country has diversified its oil and gas imports, with approximately 70% now sourced from nations outside the Middle East, including the US, Russia, and African countries like Nigeria.
The government has issued letters to all states, urging them to take necessary measures to prevent black marketing and hoarding. On Wednesday, around 6,000 raids were conducted nationwide.
In Uttar Pradesh, 1,100 raids resulted in the seizure of 1,000 cylinders, while in Madhya Pradesh, 2,300 cylinders were confiscated during 1,632 raids. The central government has instructed states to take strict action wherever regulations are violated.
According to reports from the states, control rooms have been established in about 31 states and union territories, with monitoring committees set up at the district level in around 25 states.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Ports, and Waterways, confirmed that all Indian vessels and crew in the Persian Gulf region are safe. He reported that 22 Indian ships are currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz, and over 16 Indian sailors have returned to India after completing their assignments in the last 24 hours. The ministry is closely monitoring the situation.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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