Centre Urges Public Not to Panic Buy Fuel, Assures Adequate Petrol, Diesel and LPG Supplies

New Delhi, March 2026 : The Central government on Friday urged consumers across the country to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG, assuring that sufficient stocks of petroleum products are available and supply chains remain stable.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, there have been no reports of fuel shortages or dry-outs at any of the nearly one lakh fuel retail outlets operated by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across the country. The official emphasised that supplies of petrol and diesel are being maintained regularly and there is no cause for concern among consumers.

The government clarified that India currently has a refining capacity of around 258 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), making the country the fourth-largest refining hub in the world. This robust refining infrastructure ensures that India remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel. As a result, the country does not require imports of these fuels to meet its domestic demand.

Officials also noted that all refineries across the country are operating at high levels of efficiency, with some even functioning at more than 100 per cent of their installed capacity. In addition, Indian refineries are maintaining adequate inventories of crude oil, ensuring that fuel production continues smoothly without disruption.

The assurance from the government comes amid concerns about global energy supplies due to prevailing geopolitical tensions and reports related to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route. Despite these developments, officials said India’s diversified import sources and shipping routes are helping maintain steady crude oil supplies to domestic refineries.

The government has also taken regulatory steps to ensure uninterrupted availability of natural gas and petroleum products. On March 9, it issued a Natural Gas Control Order under the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise supply for essential consumers. Under this order, 100 per cent supply of piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) has been ensured, with no reduction in allocations.

However, the official stated that supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are currently being regulated at around 80 per cent in order to prioritise household consumption and essential services.

India currently consumes approximately 3.73 million standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD) of natural gas in the domestic PNG segment. The government assured that sufficient gas supplies are available to meet the needs of households across different regions.

More than 1.5 crore households in the country are currently receiving piped natural gas through city gas distribution networks. These households will continue to receive uninterrupted supplies despite the ongoing geopolitical situation.

Officials also suggested that residential consumers with access to PNG should prioritise the use of piped gas instead of LPG cylinders wherever possible. This would help conserve LPG supplies, allowing the government to divert cylinders to areas and consumers where PNG infrastructure is not available.

To further address concerns regarding LPG availability, the government is working closely with various City Gas Distribution entities operating in major cities. These agencies have been advised to expedite the process of providing new PNG connections to commercial and industrial consumers who may require alternative fuel arrangements.

The government has encouraged such consumers to approach their local city gas distribution companies to obtain new connections. Officials reiterated that the country’s energy supply system remains stable and well-prepared to meet domestic demand, urging citizens not to engage in unnecessary fuel hoarding.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)