No Fuel Shortage in India, Centre Assures Rajya Sabha Amid West Asia Tensions

The Centre has assured Parliament that India faces no shortage of petrol or diesel despite rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The government said fuel stocks are adequate and supply chains remain stable.

April 1, 2026 | New Delhi Amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and continued volatility in global energy markets, the Union government has assured the Rajya Sabha that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi, in a written reply to a question raised by BJP MP Dr Medha Kulkarni, stated that fuel availability remains sufficient across India, including Maharashtra. He added that the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure uninterrupted supply and prevent any disruption in distribution.

The minister acknowledged that the West Asian crisis has created concerns over energy security, especially due to India’s dependence on imports for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). India imports nearly 60% of its LPG requirements, and about 90% of this supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz. With tensions impacting movement in the region, the government has initiated alternative arrangements to avoid shortages. Officials said the Centre has diversified import sources and strengthened inventory management to ensure LPG supplies remain stable at the local level. Measures have been taken to prevent panic buying and ensure smooth delivery through oil marketing companies.

The government also highlighted that India has adequate strategic reserves of petrol and diesel to manage any emergency. Through Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), storage infrastructure with a capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes has been created at three locations in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This reserve is expected to provide crucial support during any supply shock. In addition, the government underlined that India is no longer solely dependent on Middle Eastern nations for crude oil. Imports have been expanded to 14 countries including Russia, the United States, Nigeria, Angola, Canada, Brazil and Mexico, improving supply chain flexibility.

Meanwhile, to reduce dependence on LPG, the Centre has accelerated the rollout of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections. In March alone, 2.7 lakh new PNG connections were provided, taking total new connections beyond 3.1 lakh. Officials said PNG is emerging as a more stable and convenient alternative, with half of India’s natural gas requirement being met through domestic production. The Centre said expansion of the gas pipeline network is being pursued on a war footing, including plans to extend it to semi-urban regions.

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