New Delhi, March 14 (UNI) The worsening LPG supply crisis in the country may soon see some relief as two LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying large consignments of liquefied petroleum gas, have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to dock at Mundra Port and Kandla Port, respectively, in the coming days.
Providing the information during an inter-ministerial briefing on Saturday, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), said that Indian vessels operating in the Persian Gulf remain safe and shipping activity continues to be closely monitored.
Sinhas said that the two Indian-flag LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday, carrying around 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG.
“Both vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely and are now proceeding towards India. They are expected to arrive at Mundra and Kandla ports on March 16 and 17,” he said.
He added that 22 Indian-flag vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely in coordination with shipping companies and Indian missions.
The government has also directed ports to prioritise LPG carriers and provide relief measures to shipping lines, including concessions on anchorage, berth hire and storage charges, to minimise disruptions to maritime trade.
“Major ports have been instructed to provide priority berthing to LPG vessels to ensure continuity of energy supply,” Kumar said.
Addressing a briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said fuel availability remains adequate and no shortages have been reported at retail outlets.
“Fuel supply in the country is sufficient and our refineries are operating at full capacity. There is no dry-out reported at retail outlets and adequate petrol and diesel are available,” she said.
However, the official acknowledged that LPG supplies remain an area of concern due to the prevailing global situation and urged consumers to avoid panic bookings.
“LPG supply is still a matter of concern for us in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. But no dry-out has been reported,” she said, adding that panic buying has sharply increased demand.
“Yesterday, the number of bookings was around 75–76 lakh; now it has increased to almost 88 lakh. This is nothing but panic booking,” Sharma said, appealing to citizens to book cylinders only when required.
To manage demand pressures, the government is encouraging commercial consumers facing LPG disruptions to shift to piped natural gas (PNG). “Wherever commercial consumers are facing LPG supply disruption, they should be shifted to PNG connections wherever possible,” she said, adding that GAIL (India) Limited has held meetings with city gas distribution operators to expedite PNG connections for eligible consumers.
Sharma also said commercial LPG cylinders have begun distribution in most parts of the country through state governments. “There was considerable discussion regarding commercial cylinders, and after that it was decided that some LPG should also be supplied to commercial consumers,” she said.
She added that commercial cylinders have been placed at the disposal of state governments to prioritise consumers. “In about 29 states and union Territories, distribution of commercial cylinders has already started and consumers have begun receiving them,” she said.
The government has also ramped up domestic LPG production to ease supply pressure. “Domestic production has been increased significantly; it first rose by 10 per cent, then 25 per cent, then 28 per cent, and today the increase has reached about 31 per cent,” Sharma said.
She clarified that booking restrictions remain in place to ensure equitable distribution.
“In urban areas, there is a minimum gap of 25 days between the last delivery and the next booking, while in rural areas the gap is 45 days. If consumers attempt to book before this period, the booking will not be accepted,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management has allowed industries, hotels and restaurants in the National Capital Region to temporarily use biomass RDF pellets in place of natural gas for one month to ease pressure on fuel supplies.
