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India Tightens LPG Usage Rules Amid Global Energy Crisis
India Tightens LPG Usage Rules
The Indian government has announced new regulations regarding the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). According to the amendment, individuals with both piped natural gas (PNG) and domestic LPG connections cannot continue using their LPG connection. Such persons are not allowed to get LPG cylinders refilled from government oil companies or their distributors and must surrender their LPG connection immediately. Additionally, anyone with a PNG connection cannot apply for a new domestic LPG connection.
Maritime Transit and Domestic Production Status
According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India is in touch with all interlocutors, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with his regional counterparts. Following these talks, two Indian-flagged ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are now headed to Indian ports. Each ship is carrying in excess of 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG. Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, including six LPG carriers, four crude oil tankers, and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported that domestic LPG production has increased by 30%.
Authorities Reassure Citizens
In a significant diplomatic gesture, Iran has allowed two Indian vessels to pass through the strait, even as it largely halted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to tensions with the United States and Israel. The Strait of Hormuz, which skirts Iran's coastline, handles approximately 20% of the world's crude oil and seaborne liquefied natural gas. Indian authorities have reassured citizens that LPG cylinders and petrol and diesel supplies are sufficient at retail outlets nationwide, emphasizing there is no need for panic buying or hoarding. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that domestic refineries produce enough petrol and diesel, eliminating the need for imports.
*Source: YouTube: WION (2026-03-15)*
