Amid LPG crunch in India, output up by 30%

In response to a surge in demand for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) amid concerns over supply disruptions, India has reported a significant 30% increase in domestic LPG production. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has assured consumers that refineries are operating at full capacity, with an output of 258 million metric tonnes, and that there are adequate inventories to meet the nation's fuel requirements. Officials emphasized that there is no need for panic, as both cooking gas and transport fuel supplies remain uninterrupted. The Joint Secretary of the ministry, Sujata Sharma, highlighted that the country is self-sufficient in petrol and diesel, with all refineries functioning at or above their capacity. Amid rising demand, particularly in urban areas, the government is taking measures to ensure smooth distributions, especially for commercial consumers affected by the current situation. An increase in LPG bookings has been noted, leading to concerns about hoarding, prompting authorities to warn against such practices and take action against black marketing. To further support fuel availability, the government has approved additional allocations of Kerosene and activated other fuel forms through Coal India Limited. Regional leaders are also monitoring supply arrangements to address local needs effectively.