Heat of Middle East war: Panic booking of LPG decreased, but the situation is worrying, demand for 55 lakh cylinders every day.

• People should look for alternative arrangements
• Crude oil hit…Oil companies increased the premium of petrol
• Price of industrial fuel increased by 25 percent

New Delhi . 20 days have passed since the Israel-Iran war, during which only 9 ships carrying crude and gas have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. In such a situation, there is a shortage of LPG gas in the world as well as in India. In such a situation, Joint Secretary of the Petroleum Ministry, Sujata Sharma said that the situation of LPG is still serious, the government is trying to supply it. The government says that 100% LPG is being delivered to domestic consumers. However, the situation still remains worrying. There has been a decline in panic booking, but people have been appealed not to pay attention to rumors and book gas only as per requirement. The government has clearly said that the situation of LPG is still serious. Efforts are on to maintain supply, but common people are requested to also consider alternative fuel options and avoid panic buying. Due to the impact of crude oil, oil companies have increased the price of premium petrol by Rs 2.35 per litre, while the price of industrial fuel has also increased by 25 percent.

Regarding the LPG crisis, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Friday that now panic booking has reduced. Adequate stock of gas is available across the country, but the situation still remains a matter of concern. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Petroleum Ministry, said that on March 19, about 55 lakh cylinders were booked. At the same time, about 7500 consumers have shifted from LPG to PNG. These things were said by the Petroleum Ministry in the joint press conference of the central ministries.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that 913 Indians are returning from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Petroleum Ministry said that 4500 raids were conducted across the country to stop hoarding and black marketing. Of these, 1100 raids took place in Uttar Pradesh. At the same time, oil marketing companies also conducted 1800 surprise inspections. Sujata Sharma said that in the last one week, about 11,300 tonnes of commercial LPG has been supplied to consumers and it has been allocated in 18 states and union territories. The government has set up control rooms and district level monitoring committees in 32 states and union territories to enhance surveillance.

Premium petrol becomes costlier by Rs 2.35 in the country
Oil marketing companies have announced an increase in premium petrol prices in India, which will impact customers using the specialty fuel. According to media reports, from March 20, 2026, the prices of premium petrol have been increased by Rs 2 to Rs 2.35 per liter. According to the new prices in Pune, the price of premium petrol like Speed ​​and Power has been increased by Rs 2.09 per liter. Earlier the price of this petrol was Rs 111.68 per liter, which has now increased to Rs 113.77 per liter. However, there has been no change in the prices of normal petrol.

Industrial diesel becomes costlier by Rs 22
Rates of bulk diesel for industrial use were also increased. Indian Oil has also increased the price of its industrial fuel by about 22 or 25 percent. Its price has increased from Rs 87.67 per liter to Rs 109.59 per litre. Industrial coal is used to generate energy in boilers and power plants in factories. It mainly includes furnace oil, light diesel oil and high-speed diesel. These are used to run machines, melt metals and industrial heating. Oil marketing companies have increased the prices after the rise in global oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. However, there has been no change in the prices of normal petrol and diesel. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that the prices of normal petrol and diesel have not increased. He said that the premium category is only two to four percent of the total petrol sales. The government does not want to put the burden of any price increase on the common man. Oil companies decide pricing independently. The government does not regulate the prices of petrol and diesel.

The impact of the ongoing tension in West Asia now appears to be reaching the industrial cities of India. Due to gas supply being affected in Surat, Gujarat, a large number of migrant laborers have been forced to return to their respective villages. The shortage of LPG gas at the local level has also affected small industries and factories. Due to shortage of LPG gas, many factories are closing temporarily. The workers are facing a crisis of employment and livelihood. Migrant laborer Sachin told that we are going to the village because gas is not available for the last few days. Our companies are also closing down. So what to do, if you are dying of hunger then you are going back to the village. We don’t have money so we are returning. Tried to get gas, but everyone looks after themselves. No one is helping here, will return only when gas supply starts. Many people are going back.

Sachin further said that he is facing problems for more than 4-5 days. Gas is available for Rs 500 per liter and there is no money. That’s why we are going to the village. Migrant laborer Seema Devi said that she is returning to her village due to gas problem. Our accounts are being closed and there is no money. Those who work as laborers and put in Rs 500-1000 are not getting it and gas is also not available. When asked since when gas was not available, Seema Devi said that gas was not available for the last 15 days. The gas had run out a week ago and then there was a gas shortage. Seema Devi says that she also went to the agency but did not get the gas yet. My daughter and I are going while my husband and two children will stay here. Even small cylinders are not available.

Migrant laborers troubled by LPG shortage
Seema Devi told that we are preparing food by bringing cow dung cakes. Just now we got a call that the small cylinder we were running had also exhausted. Searching every nook and corner but not even a small cylinder is found. Due to the gas crisis, a situation of migration of workers has arisen in Surat, which is a matter of concern not only for the local industries. Rather, it shows that global geopolitical tensions are now deeply affecting the lives of common people. There were reports of a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Meanwhile, the Central Government has given a special proposal to the states. The Center has appealed to states to help accelerate the expansion of piped natural gas penetration and coverage. The Center said that if states do so, they will be given incentives. This incentive will be given to them by allocating additional quantity of LPG for commercial use. That means, whatever state’s demand is there, it will be given 20 percent more.