New Delhi: In response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the Government of India has initiated several measures to reduce pressure on domestic cooking gas supplies. As part of these steps, hotels and restaurants may soon be temporarily allowed to use alternative fuels such as kerosene, coal, biomass, and RDF pellets for cooking.
Officials said the move is aimed at easing the demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas used in cylinders and piped gas systems, ensuring that household consumers continue to receive uninterrupted supply during the current global uncertainty.
New Measures to Reduce LPG Demand
Under the new arrangement, the government has begun the process of permitting hospitality establishments to shift to alternative fuels for a limited period. Additionally, only a restricted number of commercial LPG cylinders will be supplied, with state governments tasked with preparing priority lists of beneficiaries.
In another significant decision, rural households will now be able to book LPG cylinders only after a 45-day interval, while the minimum gap between bookings in urban areas has already been extended to 25 days. The step is intended to curb panic buying and maintain stable supply.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the country’s fuel supply remains stable despite the geopolitical tensions. Authorities have urged citizens not to rush into panic bookings or spread rumours regarding shortages.
Evacuation Efforts and Safety Updates
The government also provided updates on Indians affected by the crisis in West Asia. According to officials, around 130,000 Indian nationals have returned safely to India from the region so far through various evacuation flights.
A total of 78 Indian sailors were reported to be on ships trapped in affected areas. Of these, 70 have been rescued, four were injured, three have died, and one remains missing. More than 20 Indians were reported injured during the conflict, most of whom have already returned home after treatment.
Ensuring Continued Supply
Sujata Sharma said India has a robust distribution system with nearly 25,000 LPG distributors supplying about five million cylinders daily across the country.
She noted that there have been no reports of LPG depletion at the distribution level, but bookings have surged multiple times due to panic. Citizens have been advised to conserve fuel and avoid unnecessary bookings during this period of global uncertainty.
To further support supply management, the government has allocated an additional 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene to states. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has advised state pollution control boards to temporarily allow hospitality establishments to use alternative fuels.
The Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited have also been directed by the Ministry of Coal to increase coal allocation to states so that small and medium consumers can access alternative fuel sources.
Officials added that hospitals and educational institutions will receive priority in the allocation of commercial LPG cylinders, while a three-member committee of oil marketing company executives will review the distribution of limited commercial cylinders for other sectors.
The government reiterated that supplies of gas, petrol, and diesel remain normal across the country, and monitoring of the situation continues closely as the West Asia crisis evolves.
