No need to panic— Government reveals reality behind LPG crisis concerns across the country

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and India currently has sufficient crude oil reserves. He appealed to people not to spread rumors and to avoid misinformation. Speaking in Parliament, the Union Minister emphasized that energy availability in India is completely secure.

He said, “India’s crude oil supply situation is secure, and the amount of oil we currently have is far greater than the supply received through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Puri stated that due to the strong diplomatic initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s international relations, the country has secured enough crude oil reserves that exceed the quantity usually supplied through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by the ongoing crisis. He explained that amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, India is diversifying its sources of energy imports. As a result, the country is no longer dependent only on West Asia, and domestic gas supply remains stable.

He further said that India imports crude oil from nearly 40 countries, ensuring that energy supply continues through multiple routes. Despite the ongoing conflict, there has been no major impact on fuel availability in the country. Puri added that the government has ensured uninterrupted supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for domestic consumers.

The minister stressed that the government is fully committed to ensuring affordable and uninterrupted energy supply to households across the country. He said, “There is no shortage for domestic consumers, and there is no need to panic.”

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India is continuously working to assist Indian citizens present in Iran. The government is also closely monitoring issues related to the safety of ships and the country’s energy security amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Responding to a question about ship movement around the Strait of Hormuz, the MEA spokesperson said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has spoken with Iran’s Foreign Minister three times in recent days. He added that during the last conversation, discussions were held regarding the safety of ships and India’s energy security, but providing further details at this stage would be premature.