India gives major updates on LPG connections, ships in Gulf & citizens' return to homeland

The Indian government held an inter-ministerial briefing on the recent developments in West Asia region, sharing major updates on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply, shipping vessels in the Gulf region, and the repatriation of Indian nationals from the Gulf.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, said that LPG remains a matter of concern for the government in light of the prevailing geopolitical situation. Domestic LPG consumers are getting a smooth supply and no dryouts have been reported at any agency.

The government has urged citizens to resort to digital channels for booking LPG cylinders, which has reaped a fruit as 90% bookings are now coming online, the ministry official said.


Also read: LPG bookings fall to 77 lakh; no fuel shortages, online bookings rise after govt campaign

"We are trying to procure LPG from wherever possible and to increase the domestic supply," Sharma said. She reiterated that India has a sufficient supply of crude, and the refineries are operating at full capacity. "We produce sufficient petrol and diesel domestically to meet our requirements; consequently, we have no need for imports," she added.

GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited) held a meeting with various CGD operators and advised them to expedite the provision of PNG connections to all eligible commercial consumers wherever feasible.

The government is implementing a policy of Delivery authentication code for LPG cylinder deliveries, which has increased from 53% in Feb 2026 to 72% as on March 15.

The government has maintained the Natural gas supply to CNG and PNG customers at 100 per cent, including CNG for vehicles.

Amid reports of gas shortage, some companies are now providing certain incentives to promote PNG connections. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has said that if a domestic consumer gets connected before March 31 and starts purchasing gas, they will receive free gas worth Rs 500. Meanwhile, GAIL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited are also offering incentives.

Also read: LPG crisis: Sales of instant food options, frozen snacks surge 20 per cent

The authorities have also activated alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal for certain sectors, including hospitality and restaurants, to ease pressure on LPG supplies.

On March 14, the Indian government issued an order requesting people who have both PNG and LPG connections to voluntarily surrender their LPG connection if they can rely on PNG.

"Wherever alternative sources of energy such as PNG are available, consumers are encouraged to shift to them. Above all, people should avoid rumours and refrain from panic booking," Sharma said.

Shivalik LPG carrier

On the movement of the Indian LPG carrier Shivalik via the Strait of Hormuz, Rajesh Kumar Sinha from the Shipping Ministry, said, "Shivalik LPG carrier, which sailed from the Persian Gulf, crossed the Strait of Hormuz and headed towards India, will be reaching today around 5 pm."

He noted that documentation, priority berthing, and everything have been arranged at the port in advance so that there is no delay in the discharge of cargo by this vessel.

Another Indian vessel Nanda Devi will arrive at Kandla Port tomorrow, about which, Sinha is expected to provide updated information later.

22 Indian flag vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf as the government continues to keep a close watch in the area.

Also read: Iran war begins to bomb the GST bonanza. What can happen?

Jag-Laadki crude vessel

Indian-flag vessel 'Jag Laadki', which sailed from the UAE on March 14, is carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil. The vessel is safely en route to India and is expected to reach the Mundra Port tomorrow.

The shipping ministry noted that the vessel and all Indian seafarers on board are safe.

Indian nationals stranded in Iran

During the inter-ministerial briefing, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal informed that over 550 Indian nationals in Iran have crossed into Armenia through the land border.

An additional 90 Indian nationals have also crossed from Iran into Azerbaijan via the land border.

"These movements were facilitated by our embassy in Tehran, which assisted them with visas as well as immigration formalities," he said, as the diplomatic body helped the stranded Indians with visas and required immigration formalities.

"In this group of 550 people that I mentioned, who have crossed from Iran into Armenia, we also have 284 people who had gone to Iran on pilgrimage. These people are there right now in both these countries. Some of them have already returned, and others would be returning in the next few days or so," Jaiswal said.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran continues to be functional and has helped relocate students who were outside Tehran to cities which are safer for them students who were outside Tehran to safer cities.

Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs noted that 20,000 passengers from the impacted region have returned to India. Flights are operating from Saudi Arabia and Oman from various airports to destinations in India.

Qatar Airspace is partially open, while Kuwait Airspace has been closed since February 28, 2026.