No fuel shortage, say oil PSUs; warn against panic buying

New Delhi: State-run oil companies on Wednesday said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG in the country, urging people not to fall for rumours or resort to panic buying.

Indian Oil Corporation said its outlets are “well-stocked and fully operational”, adding that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel. It cautioned that misinformation can trigger unnecessary concern and disrupt normal supply patterns.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd termed reports of shortages “completely unfounded”, asserting that fuel supplies across the country remain stable. It noted that India is a net exporter of petrol and diesel and has adequate stocks of crude oil and refined products, with supply chains functioning smoothly.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd also said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG, advising consumers to continue normal consumption patterns and rely on verified information.

The reassurances come amid concerns over disruptions in global energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. While crude oil supplies have been affected, India has diversified sourcing, securing supplies from regions such as West Africa, Latin America and the US. However, LNG supplies have been hit due to disruptions in Qatar, prompting prioritisation for domestic users and CNG, with some curtailment for industrial consumers.

LPG has been the most impacted, as India depends on imports for about 60 per cent of its requirement. Supplies from Gulf countries have been affected, leading to prioritisation for household use and reduced allocation for commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants. In an effort to strengthen natural gas infrastructure and improve ease of doing business, the government has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The order, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, provides a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country, addressing delays in approvals and access to land, and enabling faster development of natural gas infrastructure, including in residential areas.

The order comes into immediate effect and establishes a comprehensive, transparent, and investor-friendly framework for efficient gas distribution, rapid infrastructure expansion, and equitable access to cleaner energy.

The government on Wednesday dismissed reports claiming changes in LPG refill booking timelines, terming them misleading and unfounded. No revisions have been made to the existing refill booking norms for LPG connections.

The ministry stated that some media reports and social media posts had claimed that refill booking timelines had been altered to 45 days for PMUY beneficiaries, 25 days for non-PMUY single-cylinder users, and 35 days for non-PMUY double-cylinder consumers.