In a strong rebuttal to swirling online rumours and panic-inducing videos, the government on Thursday issued an unambiguous assurance that India faces no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG, warning that a “deliberately mischievous, coordinated campaign of misinformation” is attempting to mislead the public and trigger needless anxiety.
In a detailed statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas declared, “India’s petroleum and LPG supply situation is fully secure and under control. All retail fuel outlets have enough supplies. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country.” The ministry urged citizens “not to be misled” by fabricated claims circulating on social media.
Calling India “an oasis of energy security,” the ministry underscored the country’s position as the world’s fourth-largest refiner and fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products, supplying fuel to over 150 nations. “Since India is a net exporter, domestic availability remains structurally secure,” the ministry said.
All one lakh-plus retail fuel outlets are operating normally, and the government stressed that “not a single outlet has been asked to ration supply.” While several nations abroad have imposed rationing, odd-even restrictions, or even declared energy emergencies, “India does not feel the need for any such measures,” the ministry stated.
Isolated queues at select pumps, it noted, were a result of panic buying triggered by manipulated videos. Even in these cases, fuel was supplied to all consumers, with oil company depots working overnight to replenish stocks. Credit limits for pumps have also been enhanced from one day to over three days to ensure smooth operations.
Dispelling fears of supply disruptions due to tensions near the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry affirmed that India is currently receiving more crude from its 41-plus global suppliers than before, with every refinery operating at over 100 per cent utilisation.
With crude supplies secured for the next 60 days, the ministry asserted, “There is no supply gap.”
Dismissing viral claims that India has only six days of fuel stock, the government clarified that the country has 74 days of total reserve capacity, with an actual cover of around 60 days even on Day 27 of the Middle East crisis.
“Any representation that India’s reserves are depleted or insufficient should be dismissed with the disdain it deserves,” the ministry said.
Countering suggestions of a looming LPG crisis, the ministry emphatically said, “There is no LPG shortage.” Domestic refinery production has been raised by 40 per cent, taking output to 50 TMT per day, covering more than 60 per cent of the national requirement.
Daily import needs have fallen to 30 TMT, and 800 TMT of assured cargoes from the US, Russia, Australia and others are already en route to India’s 22 LPG import terminals, double the number available in 2014.
Oil companies continue to deliver over 50 lakh cylinders daily, even as demand, which had surged to 89 lakh due to panic orders, has now stabilised. To prevent hoarding, states have coordinated to raise commercial cylinder allocations to 50 per cent.
Clarifying claims that Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is being promoted due to LPG shortages, the ministry reiterated that the ongoing transition has long been part of India’s clean energy strategy.
PNG is “cheaper, cleaner and safer,” with connections expanding from 25 lakh in 2014 to over 1.5 crore today, and city gas networks covering over 300 geographical areas.
“The claim that PNG is being pushed because LPG is running out is misinformation. LPG supply is secure,” the ministry emphasised.
The ministry expressed “serious concern” over viral posts using selectively edited images of queues, foreign news footage, and fabricated claims of emergency fuel measures to create a false narrative of crisis in India.
It noted that some creators have even misrepresented routine administrative orders, such as the Natural Gas Control Order and LPG Control Order, as emergency declarations.
“This misinformation is being spread by miscreants and amplified by motivated elements,” the ministry warned, stressing that spreading falsehoods about essential commodities is an offence.