Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said India successfully navigated the global energy crisis without experiencing fuel shortages or disruptions in supply, crediting the government’s proactive planning and coordinated response for ensuring uninterrupted access to essential fuels across the country.
Chairing a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in New Delhi, Puri said India maintained more than adequate fuel reserves throughout the period while ensuring 100 per cent availability of household Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
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Sharing details of the meeting through a social media post, the minister outlined the government’s strategy to safeguard India’s energy security during a period marked by international supply disruptions, rising crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainties.
According to Puri, one of the key steps taken by the government was diversifying India’s energy import basket. He said the number of countries supplying energy to India increased significantly, expanding from 27 source nations to 41. This diversification reduced dependence on limited suppliers and strengthened the country’s ability to withstand disruptions in global markets.
The minister also highlighted that the government prioritised the supply of LPG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households and other critical sectors, ensuring that consumers continued to receive uninterrupted services despite challenges in the international energy market.
To further strengthen domestic availability, India increased LPG production on a priority basis while ensuring seamless coordination among various government departments and public sector undertakings involved in the energy sector.
Puri said Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) also played a crucial role by supporting consumers through the volatile period. Along with reductions in excise duty, these measures helped cushion the impact of rising global fuel prices on Indian households and businesses.
He added that continuous monitoring through dedicated “war-room” mechanisms enabled authorities to respond quickly to emerging supply challenges and maintain stable fuel distribution across the country.
The minister emphasised that while many countries experienced fuel shortages, rationing and sharp price increases during the global energy crisis, India managed to protect its citizens from the worst effects by implementing timely policy interventions and maintaining a resilient supply chain.
According to Puri, the government’s comprehensive approach combined strategic imports, domestic production, coordinated logistics and consumer-focused policies to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability across the country.
He reiterated that maintaining India’s energy security remains a top priority for the government, particularly during periods of global uncertainty. The measures adopted during the crisis, he said, not only ensured uninterrupted supplies but also strengthened the country’s long-term energy resilience.
Puri concluded that India’s ability to avoid fuel dry-outs while guaranteeing uninterrupted LPG and LNG supplies demonstrated the effectiveness of its energy management strategy, helping shield consumers and critical sectors from the severe disruptions witnessed in several parts of the world during the global energy crisis.
