India Assures No Fuel Shortage Amid West Asia Crisis, Urges Citizens To Stay Calm
New Delhi, May 10: The Centre has assured citizens that India has sufficient reserves of crude oil, natural gas and LPG despite the ongoing West Asia conflict, while urging people to avoid panic buying and adopt fuel-saving measures in the national interest.
Chairing the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel and essential commodities across the country.
According to the government, India currently maintains around 60 days of crude oil reserves, 60 days of natural gas stock and 45 days of LPG rolling stock. Officials also informed the ministers that the country’s foreign exchange reserves remain strong at nearly $703 billion.
The government clarified that there is no shortage of petroleum products in the country and citizens should not rush to fuel stations or stockpile supplies. Authorities said India continues to meet domestic energy demand fully despite elevated global crude prices caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Centre highlighted that India is among the few countries where fuel prices have remained stable during the crisis, even as several nations have witnessed price hikes ranging between 30 and 70 per cent. However, oil marketing companies are reportedly absorbing losses of nearly Rs 1,000 crore per day to shield consumers from global price shocks.
The meeting also reviewed preparedness related to maritime trade routes, supply chain stability and long-term energy security. Rajnath Singh stressed that ministries and state governments must work together to institutionalise fuel efficiency, responsible consumption and public awareness initiatives.
The government reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal encouraging citizens to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption by using public transport, opting for carpooling, restarting work-from-home practices where possible and avoiding non-essential foreign travel.
Officials further stated that current conservation efforts are aimed at strengthening India’s long-term resilience if the geopolitical crisis continues for an extended period.
The IGoM also reviewed fertiliser availability and informed ministers that stocks remain higher than last year, ensuring adequate supply for the upcoming Kharif season. The government said improved planning and logistics management have helped maintain robust inventory levels despite global disruptions.
Additionally, the Centre has introduced support measures for industries and MSMEs, including the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme 5.0, which aims to provide additional credit support amid economic uncertainty triggered by the conflict.
