(Image source from: ndtv.com)
The government is taking important actions to maintain readiness and smooth operations in major industries due to the changing situation in West Asia, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Ministry is working to ensure that petroleum products and LPG are consistently available throughout the nation, especially concerning the current events regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ongoing political tensions, the Government has guaranteed a full supply of Domestic LPG, Domestic PNG, and CNG for transportation. Hospitals and educational facilities are given priority for commercial LPG. Additionally, sectors such as pharmaceuticals, steel, automobiles, seeds, and agriculture are also prioritized. Moreover, the supply of 5 Kg FTL for migrant workers has been increased based on the average daily supply observed on March 2nd and 3rd, 2026, the ministry added. The Government has put in place several adjustments regarding both supply and demand, which include boosting refinery output, extending the booking period from 21 to 25 days in cities and up to 45 days in rural areas, as well as prioritizing certain sectors for supply.
Alternative fuels like kerosene and coal are now available to lessen the demand for LPG. The Ministry of Coal has instructed Coal India and Singareni Collieries to provide extra coal to states for small and medium consumers. States have been encouraged to support new PNG connections for both residential and business users. Additionally, all refineries are functioning at high levels with enough crude oil supplies, and there are ample stocks of petrol and diesel. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has also implemented necessary steps to protect Indian ships and sailors operating in the area. The Ministry mentioned that it is still collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions, and maritime partners to ensure the safety of seafarers and uninterrupted sea operations. All Indian sailors in the region are safe, and there have been no reported incidents involving Indian-registered vessels in the last 24 hours. The DG Shipping Control Room has received 6,580 phone calls and over 13,719 since it became active. In the last 24 hours, 131 calls and 276 emails have been documented in a further announcement.
DG Shipping has helped bring back more than 2,417 Indian seafarers to their home country, with 80 of them returning in the last day from different spots in the Gulf area. Port activities throughout India are running smoothly, with no signs of traffic issues. The Ministry of External Affairs is actively keeping track of changes in the Gulf and West Asia, focusing on the safety and well-being of the Indian people living there, as stated in a report. It was mentioned that the special control rooms set up in the Ministry of External Affairs are functioning and collaborating with Indian embassies. The Ministry of External Affairs maintains regular communication with State Governments and Union Territories to share information and improve coordination in their actions.
At the same time, flights are still taking place from nations where the airspace is open. Since February 28, approximately 10,10,000 travelers have flown from this area to India.
