No Shortage Of Petrol, Diesel: Govt Reassures After PM Modi's 'Energy Conservation' Appeal

New Delhi: Day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to conserve fuel and make certain behavioural changes like using metro services or carpooling amid the West Asia crisis, the Centre clarified that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel, emphasising that the country has sufficient crude stocks.

The Centre maintained that it has taken up several measures to ensure that fuel supplies are maintained for the common consumer with minimal inconvenience.

“There have been disruptions in the global energy supply chain across the world. Significant price volatility is being observed in the international market. However, the Government of India has taken several effective measures and has strived to ensure that fuel supplies are maintained for the common consumer with minimal inconvenience. As a result of all these steps taken, our crude oil inventory remains well-maintained. Our refineries are operating at optimum levels,” the Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma said. 

The Joint Secretary said that there are no instances of “dry outs” at retail outlets or at LPG distributorships, and assured that adequate stocks are available.

“There are no instances of dry-outs at any retail outlets. Nor have any dry-outs been reported at LPG distributorships. Adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available, and LPG supplies for domestic cooking purposes are being maintained,” she said.

Detailing out the state of LPG cylinders delivered to households in recent times, ever since the Iran war broke out, Sharma said, “Over the past three days, 1 crore 26 lakh LPG cylinders have been delivered to households against 1 crore 14 lakh bookings. Similarly, sales of commercial LPG have exceeded 17,000 tonnes over the last three days. Sales of Auto LPG have also surpassed 762 tonnes.”

India Has 60 Days Of Crude, Natural Gas

The 5th Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) finalised a strategy that blends military-grade strategic planning with a public appeal for mass participation, similar to the collective spirit of the pandemic. Despite international volatility, the IGoM mentioned that India's immediate energy security is robust. The government revealed a significant "rolling stock" of reserves to prevent any domestic panic.

"The IGoM was informed that the country is secure, and there is no shortage of any petroleum product, even as most other nations have taken emergency measures to dramatically reduce domestic consumption. India has 60 days of crude oil, 60 days of Natural Gas and 45 days of LPG rolling stock. The foreign exchange reserves stand at a comfortable $703 billion. India is the world's third largest oil refiner and fourth largest exporter of petroleum products, exporting to over 150 countries and is meeting domestic demand in full," as per the Ministry of Defence press release.

"There is a huge cost being borne by the nation as international crude prices are continuing at very high levels. Fuel conservation can ease this burden. PM Modi emphasised prudence in the usage of petroleum products and reducing wasteful consumption, so that the fiscal burden on the nation is reduced in the present and into the future," read the release.

"India is among the few countries where petroleum prices have held steady through this period of global volatility even after more than 70 days since the conflict started. In many nations, prices have increased by 30 to 70 per cent. However, India's oil marketing companies have absorbed losses of close to Rs 1,000 crore a day, with under-recoveries running to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in Q1 '26 so that the burden of global astronomical prices is not passed to the Indian citizens. There is no reason for anxiety, and no reason for any citizens to rush to retail outlets," the release mentioned.

What PM Modi Said

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to use petroleum products judiciously. He also stressed on prioritising work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings just like during the pandemic.

“We must prioritise work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings again. We must also place a strong emphasis on saving foreign exchange, as petrol and diesel have become so expensive globally... It is our responsibility to save the foreign currency spent on purchasing petrol and diesel,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

“During the pandemic, we developed many systems of work from home, online meetings, and video conferences, and we even became accustomed to them. Today, the demands of the times are such that if we restart these systems, it will be in the national interest,” he proposed.

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