India Ensures Energy and Maritime Readiness Amid West Asia Tensions

Image taken from News On Air

The Indian government has affirmed its readiness to manage energy supplies, maritime operations, and the safety of Indian nationals amid the evolving situation in West Asia. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported ongoing enforcement actions against LPG hoarding and black marketing, with over 2,300 raids conducted nationwide.

Online LPG cylinder bookings have reached 98 percent industry-wide, with nearly 49.8 lakh domestic cylinders delivered against bookings of about 41.6 lakh. Delivery Authentication Code-based deliveries have increased to approximately 93 percent to prevent diversion. In February, around 21.7 lakh 5 kg full-tank LPG cylinders were sold, with over 79,000 delivered.

Energy Supply and Infrastructure Updates

The government has raised commercial LPG allocation to about 70 percent of pre-crisis levels, including a 10 percent reform-linked allocation. Since March, approximately 5.88 lakh piped natural gas (PNG) connections have been established, with infrastructure prepared for an additional 2.68 lakh connections.

Maritime Operations and Safety of Indian Nationals

All Indian seafarers in the region are reported safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in the past 24 hours. The Directorate General of Shipping’s control room has handled over 8,200 calls and 17,000 emails since activation, including 113 calls and 295 emails in the last day. The Ministry of External Affairs has also activated a special control room to address queries from Indian nationals and their families.

Flight operations from the region to India are improving, with additional flights facilitating the movement of Indian nationals. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has assisted in the evacuation of 2,490 Indians through land border routes.

Context of Regional Tensions

Heightened tensions in West Asia, particularly around key maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz, have prompted the government to enhance maritime security measures and monitor fuel and food supply chains closely. Despite these challenges, fuel supplies remain stable, and the government continues to maintain adequate buffer stocks of essential commodities.