LPG supply still a matter of concern, but no dry out reported at retail stations: Centre

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The Centre on Saturday said that while LPG availability remains a concern in some areas, there has been no “dry out” reported at retail stations across the country.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), said India currently has sufficient crude supplies, and fuel availability is being closely monitored.

“We have sufficient supplies of crude. No dry out has been reported at retail stations,” Sharma said.

She added that the government has stepped up measures to stabilise LPG availability and prevent cylinder hoarding. Surprise inspections and raids are being conducted at distributorships and retail outlets across the country.

She also said that OMCs will continue to deliver cylinders to households. There is availability of cylinders; request not to line up in front of distributors

According to Sharma, inspection teams from state-run oil marketing companies have been activated, with around 1,300 surprise inspections conducted at LPG distributorships and retail outlets on Friday alone.

The government has also increased domestic LPG production following recent directives. “Domestic LPG production has been ramped up to 31 per cent today after the government order,” Sharma said.

To address supply pressures, commercial LPG cylinder distribution has been started in all states and Union Territories, she added.

Meanwhile, GAIL has held meetings with city gas distribution companies and advised them to provide piped natural gas (PNG) connections to consumers wherever possible to reduce dependence on LPG during the supply strain.

Officials said the steps are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability and preventing panic buyin,g even as authorities continue monitoring the supply situation closely.

Earlier on Thursday, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured Parliament that India's energy supplies remain secure, despite significant global disruptions resulting from the Iran conflict and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.