Faced with potential challenges to LPG supplies due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East—including blockages around the Strait of Hormuz, the Government of India is actively diversifying the sources of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports. This also includes increasing purchases from the United States to make up for the decline in traditional Middle Eastern supplies.
At a media briefing on Thursday, March 19, 2026, **Sujata Sharma**, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, spoke on the concerns being raised regarding the availability of LPG. He said that although the situation still remains a matter of concern due to the ongoing war, there have been no reports of stock dry-outs at any LPG distributor centre. Online bookings have increased to 94%, while panic bookings have declined—about 57 lakh refill bookings received last day. Delivery of cylinders is continuing normally.
Sharma stressed that crude oil and refinery operations within the country remain stable. The supply of domestic piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) is 100%. The government is encouraging the switch from LPG to PNG, and more than 5,600 users have made the switch in the last three days.
Highlighting India’s strategic diversity, he said any incident occurring in the Middle East has an impact on the country, as about 20% of global oil and gas transportation passes through the Strait of Hormuz. India has reduced its dependence on Gulf countries; Now about 70% of crude oil is imported from countries outside the Hormuz/Gulf region, including the US, Russia and African countries like Nigeria. Similarly, the sources of purchase of LPG have also been expanded, and LPG is now being purchased from the US, Norway, Canada, Russia and other countries along with the available Gulf cargo.
To curb black marketing and hoarding, the Central Government has issued a letter to the states urging them to take strict action. Recently, raids were conducted at 6,000 locations across the country, seizing large quantities of material—1,100 locations in Uttar Pradesh (1,000 cylinders seized) and 1,632 locations in Madhya Pradesh (2,300 cylinders seized). Control rooms are functioning in about 31 States/UTs, and district-level monitoring committees in about 25.
**Rajesh Kumar Sinha**, Special Secretary (Ports, Shipping and Waterways), confirmed that all Indian-flagged ships and sailors are safe; 22 ships west of the Strait of Hormuz are being monitored closely. In the last 24 hours, more than 16 Indian sailors have returned home after sign-off.
These measures are aimed at ensuring household needs and energy security amid geopolitical uncertainties.
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