India has sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel, LPG, natural gas, and crude oil, and there is no cause for concern regarding fuel availability, according to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Addressing the media, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that the country’s fuel supply chain remains stable, with all refineries operating at optimum capacity and LPG production reaching record levels.
“Our country has sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG. Adequate inventories of natural gas and crude oil have been secured. All refineries are operating at optimum levels, and LPG production is at an all-time high,” Sharma said.
She stated that India is currently producing and distributing around 92 thousand metric tonnes (TMT) of LPG daily and that no LPG distributorship has reported any supply disruption or dry-out situation.
However, the ministry has observed unusually high fuel sales at retail outlets in several parts of the country. According to Sharma, the increase is partly due to agricultural demand and partly because fuel purchases that were previously made through bulk channels are now being routed through retail outlets. Sales that were earlier handled by private oil marketing companies have also shifted towards retail networks.
Providing data on consumption trends, Sharma said nearly 150 districts have recorded petrol sales growth of more than 30 percent, while 14 districts have reported growth exceeding 100 percent. Similarly, diesel sales have increased by more than 30 percent in 156 districts, with six districts registering growth of over 100 percent.
At the same time, diesel sales by private oil marketing companies have declined by around 38 percent, while bulk diesel sales by oil marketing companies have fallen by nearly 29 percent. The ministry believes these figures indicate a shift in purchasing patterns rather than any shortage of fuel supplies.
The government is closely monitoring the situation. Sharma noted that the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas recently held a review meeting with Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, as well as representatives of various industrial associations.
States and Union Territories have been advised to constitute special enforcement squads to prevent hoarding, black marketing and other malpractices related to fuel distribution. The ministry has also appealed to industries and bulk consumers not to engage in panic buying or unnecessary stockpiling and to procure fuel only through authorized channels.
Reiterating the government’s position, Sharma assured citizens that fuel supplies across the country remain adequate and that authorities are taking all necessary measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted distribution.
