Petrol, Diesel, LPG Crisis Updates: India urges ‘safe and free navigation' through Hormuz amid Middle East conflict

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday stated that his government is closely overseeing the state’s fuel supply through a dedicated committee, as per PTI.

Speaking after participating in a video conference convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief ministers on the West Asia situation, Reddy said the committee, led by Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, is regularly reviewing the availability of petrol, diesel, and gas.

An official release added that similar committees have been set up in all 33 districts to curb black marketing of fuel and ensure smooth distribution.

In Dehradun's Karanpur, an education hub in the state capital, students are struggling to get two meals a day due to the ongoing commercial LPG supply shortage, which has also driven up food costs, according to PTI.

Once lively with students preparing for competitive exams, the streets of the locality have grown noticeably quiet.

Many students, who travel from remote districts for coaching classes, depend on nearby budget-friendly eateries and tiffin services for their meals. However, with LPG prices reportedly rising, these establishments have increased the cost of a tiffin box, adding to the financial burden of the students.

Roshan Lal, a native of Tehri, began a small restaurant and tiffin service here nearly nine months ago. According to him, the business went well initially, but now the situation has taken a turn for the worse, the report noted.

"We are facing shortage of gas cylinders. Most of my staff have returned home. I have to pay ₹20,000 rent, besides electricity and water bills. Under these circumstances, it has become extremely difficult to keep the business running," Lal said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a video conference with Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of states to assess India’s preparedness in light of recent developments in West Asia and their potential impact on the country.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister appreciated the valuable suggestions offered by the Chief Ministers, noting that their inputs would play a key role in effectively managing the evolving situation. He stressed the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and coordinated action to address upcoming challenges.

Referring to the ongoing scenario in West Asia, PM Modi highlighted that India has prior experience in handling similar global disruptions, underlining the country’s ability to respond effectively to such crises.

Kolkata chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has initiated discussions with Bengal Gas Company Ltd (BGCL) to explore the feasibility of piped natural gas (PNG) as an alternative fuel for restaurants facing disruptions, amid a supply crunch of commercial LPG, reported PTI

Randhir Jaiswal said that India has been providing updates on its vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that four LPG-laden ships have safely reached India after passing through the Strait and added that the government continues to coordinate with all relevant countries to ensure the safe transit of Indian ships to meet the nation’s energy needs.

On Friday, India reiterated the urgent need to maintain safe and uninterrupted maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that international law must be respected amid worsening security conditions in West Asia. The government confirmed it is closely monitoring regional developments to safeguard national energy interests, as per ANI.

At the weekly media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that New Delhi is coordinating with international partners to ensure stability in the region.

"We are closely following all developments in West Asia. We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority," Jaiswal noted.

Two individuals were taken into custody in Surat, Gujarat, for allegedly operating an illegal fuel outlet and selling substandard diesel at lower prices, a police official said on Friday, as per PTI.

According to Amroli Police Station Inspector JB Vanar, a total of 800 litres of low-quality diesel was seized from the accused, identified as Bharat Kerasiya (43) and Mahesh Khisdiya (32).

The Kolkata chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India has begun talks with Bengal Gas Company Ltd to assess the potential of using piped natural gas (PNG) as an alternative fuel for restaurants affected by commercial LPG shortages, as per PTI.

Representatives from the restaurant industry recently met with senior BGCL officials, including CEO Anupam Mukhopadhyay, to discuss the existing PNG infrastructure and explore options for a phased implementation of PNG supply for the restaurant sector.

J&K Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Friday urged people to remain calm and avoid hoarding essential items, assuring that the government is closely monitoring the situation and that there is no shortage of fuel or cooking gas in the Union Territory, as per PTI.

He noted that while global developments may have ripple effects on India, including rising inflation, the current circumstances do not justify panic buying.

A vehicle transporting 20 LPG cylinders, allegedly meant for black marketing, was seized and its driver arrested during a raid in the Maruti Kunj area on Friday, officials said.

The action was carried out in a joint operation by Haryana’s Chief Minister’s flying squad and the Food and Civil Supplies Department, which led to the recovery of 20 domestic LPG cylinders, including 18 filled and two empty ones, the officials added.

Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka on Friday cautioned the Congress-led state government against increasing the petrol and diesel prices after the Centre has lowered excise duty on these fuels.

He mentioned if the Congress government tries to hike the prices, then the BJP will strongly protest against it, as per ANI.

"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reducing petrol and diesel prices during the time of Ramanavami. Earlier, when GST on ghee was reduced, the Congress government had increased prices. If they now attempt to raise fuel prices, we will strongly oppose it," he said.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, on Friday said that India is in contact with all relevant countries to ensure the safe passage of its vessels for meeting energy needs. He also noted that four LPG-laden ships have safely reached India after transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, as per ANI.

Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, he added that India’s energy procurement strategy is guided by the need to meet the demands of its 1.4 billion population, while also taking into account market conditions and the evolving global situation.

Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, on Friday said that the government’s recent decisions regarding LPG, petrol, and diesel have offered relief to consumers and helped protect them from the impact of disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict, as per ANI.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised by ASSOCHAM titled “Women Leading India’s Growth Story” in the national capital, she remarked that the measures taken would provide significant relief to consumers across the country.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the opposition party in Odisha, on Friday called on the BJP-led state government to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, arguing that a cut in central excise duty alone is insufficient to ease the burden on citizens, as per PTI.

The party also expressed uncertainty over whether the Centre’s decision to lower excise duty would actually benefit consumers.

The central government has reduced excise duty on petrol to ₹3 per litre and fully removed it on diesel, aiming to support oil marketing companies such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in managing rising global crude prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Saket Gokhale, a Rajya Sabha member from the Trinamool Congress, on Friday alleged that the reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel was driven by the upcoming Assembly elections in four states rather than concern for consumers.

Speaking during a discussion on the Finance Bill 2026 in the Upper House, he urged Nirmala Sitharaman to assure that fuel prices would not be increased after April 29, when polling concludes in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

Following the announcement of the excise duty cut, he remarked that government ministers have been claiming since morning that the Narendra Modi-led government is bearing a financial burden by reducing its own revenues instead of raising petrol and diesel prices.

"This is happening because four major states are going to elections. The only reason that this excise duty cut has been done today is because this government cannot, absolutely cannot, raise fuel prices when four major states are going into elections," Gokhale said, as per PTI.

In Jorhat, consumer hardship related to LPG supply is not limited to shortages alone, but is further aggravated by the absence of clear, timely, and reliable information, as per ANI.

Pallavi Saikia, a health worker who lives alone with her newborn, said she has been visiting the gas agency for three straight days but has been unable to get a cylinder. She noted that making daily trips is difficult, as she has to balance her professional duties with caring for her infant at home.

She suggested that implementing a token system, specifying the exact date and time for cylinder availability, would greatly reduce inconvenience, especially for working individuals.

Angry residents on Friday staged a protest by blocking traffic for nearly 15 minutes near Bhagwan Valmiki Chowk on the Phagwara–Hoshiarpur road, alleging a shortage of cooking gas, according to PTI.

According to eyewitnesses, the blockade led to considerable disruption for commuters passing through the area.

The situation was brought under control after the intervention of Phagwara Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bharat Bhushan along with the traffic police.

Protesters raised slogans against the government and accused certain individuals of black marketing LPG cylinders, claiming they had been without cooking gas supplies for several weeks.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Friday reiterated the government’s resolve to keep petrol and diesel prices stable, despite the country’s heavy reliance on imports, as per ANI.

Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma stated that over 10,000 new PNG (piped natural gas) connections are being added daily through coordinated efforts between central ministries and state governments to speed up approvals and expand the distribution network.

Abhishek Banerjee, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress, on Friday claimed that the BJP-led central government may raise the prices of cooking gas and transport fuel once the Assembly elections conclude on April 29, as per PTI.

Speaking at an election rally in the Binpur Assembly constituency of Jhargram district for TMC candidate Birbaha Hansda, he also alleged that the government led by Narendra Modi has failed to take adequate measures to tackle the worsening fuel crisis in West Bengal.

"Rest assured, they (BJP) will not make any such pledge. Instead, once the election phase is over, take my words that on April 30, there is a strong possibility they will make domestic LPG price cost ₹2,000 and petrol-diesel ₹200 per litre," the Diamond Harbour MP said.

"The BJP is not concerned about the plight of the common man. The Modi government only knows how to fool the people with false promises," he further said.