Govt opens 24×7 control rooms to monitor oil supplies amid Israel-Iran war

The newly established 24×7 control room will continuously assess supply flows, logistics and stock positions nationwide

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has set up round-the-clock control rooms to track fuel supplies and stock positions across the country, as tensions escalate in the West Asia and global energy markets remain volatile.

Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on March 3 briefed the media on India’s preparedness, underscoring that the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation to prevent any disruption in domestic fuel availability.

The move comes against the backdrop of hostilities in West Asia that have raised concerns over potential supply disruptions, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global oil shipments and a significant route for India’s crude imports.

According to the ministry, India is well stocked with crude oil and key petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), to manage short-term supply shocks. Officials said the country remains in a “reasonably comfortable” position in terms of inventory levels.

India, the world’s third-largest crude importer, fourth-largest refiner and fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products, has in recent years diversified its sourcing strategy to reduce vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions. Energy companies now have access to supplies that do not transit through the Strait of Hormuz, cushioning the impact of any temporary bottlenecks in the region.

The newly established 24×7 control room will continuously assess supply flows, logistics and stock positions nationwide. Based on this real-time monitoring, the government said it is prepared to take phased measures if necessary to safeguard consumer interests.

Officials maintained that ensuring both availability and affordability of fuel remains the government’s top priority, even as global crude prices remain sensitive to developments in the conflict-hit region.