New Delhi [India], March 25 (ANI): The Petroleum Ministry on Wednesday said the Centre is prioritizing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) supply while assuring that there is adequate availability of petrol and diesel and that fuel prices have not changed.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the government is ensuring 100 percent domestic PNG supply and has introduced a streamlined, time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country to strengthen natural gas infrastructure.
Addressing concerns over LPG and fuel shortages amid the West Asia conflict, she urged the public not to believe rumors and to avoid panic buying.
“Refineries are operating at optimum capacity. We have the capacity to refine 260 million tonnes of crude oil annually. In the last two days, queues have been seen outside retail outlets and petrol pumps, and we observed panic buying. I want to assure the nation that we have adequate petrol and diesel. There is no scarcity at petrol pumps or at the terminals supplying fuel. Do not trust rumors and avoid panic buying. Diesel and petrol prices have not been increased,” Sharma said.
“Domestic PNG connections are the government’s priority, and 100 percent supply is being made available to consumers. CNG supply is also being maintained at 100 percent,” she added.
Highlighting efforts to expand PNG infrastructure, Sharma said, “In Delhi, an order was passed where road restoration charges have been scrapped, and pipelines are being laid round the clock. A gazette notification was issued to streamline timelines and the approval process. These steps have shown positive results. Around 220,000 consumers have shifted from LPG to PNG, and 250,000 new applications have been received.”
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on supporting migrant laborers and his appeal to states for cooperation, Sharma said migrant workers will be given priority access to 5 kg LPG cylinders.
“In 26 states, 22,000 tonnes of LPG have been allocated, including allocations by state governments and oil companies. Yesterday, 30,000 five kg cylinders were distributed,” she said.
She also noted that the government has intensified action against black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders.
“Yesterday, 2,700 raids were conducted, and 2,000 cylinders were seized,” Sharma added.
The developments follow a recent order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to establish a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country amid concerns over supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict.
According to a press release, the ministry 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 aims to address delays in approvals and land access while enabling faster development of natural gas infrastructure, including in residential areas.
The ministry also clarified that reports circulating about changes in LPG refill booking timelines are false and reiterated that existing timelines remain unchanged.
“It has come to the notice of the government that certain news reports and social media posts are claiming revised LPG refill booking timelines—45 days for PMUY connections, 25 days for non-PMUY single bottle connections, and 35 days for non-PMUY double bottle connections. It is clarified that no such changes have been made. The existing refill booking timelines remain unchanged,” the ministry said in a statement.
Current timelines remain 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas, irrespective of connection type.
The clarification comes amid concerns over Liquefied Natural Gas supply as the West Asia conflict, now in its fourth week, has disrupted global trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. (ANI)
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