The Indian government has assured that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across the country, with a focus on prioritising LPG supply for priority consumers.
According to Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum ministry, all 100,000 petrol pumps in the country are sufficiently stocked with auto fuels, while LPG production has been ramped up at the cost of petrochemicals output to ensure priority customers do not suffer.
India imports 60% of its LPG requirements, with two carriers carrying 92,600 metric tonnes of LPG crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Five more loaded carriers are expected to start from the west of the strait to India soon.
To reduce the load on LPG supply, the government is promoting the use of piped natural gas (PNG), with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board directing all city gas distribution companies to provide PNG connections in residential schools, colleges, and community kitchens.
Over 330 million domestic LPG connections are in the country, with 6 million households eligible for PNG connections. The government has also raised commercial LPG supply to about 50% of total requirements, with priority supply allocated to restaurants, hotels, and food processing industries.
