Panic LPG bookings decline, 6,000 raids conducted, 280,000 passengers repatriated, and a Rs 497 crore exporter relief package approved as India manages the widening crisis.
The Government of India held its latest inter-ministerial briefing on 19 March 2026, with senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, External Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting providing updates across energy supply, maritime safety, and exporter relief.
On the energy front, panic LPG bookings have declined to approximately 57 lakh, with no dry-outs reported at retail outlets or distributorships. Online LPG bookings have risen from 84% to 94%, and over 6,000 raids have been conducted across states, resulting in the seizure of more than 11,000 cylinders. The government has offered states an additional 10% commercial LPG allocation linked to reforms accelerating the transition from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG), with over 5,600 commercial consumers already switching. The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) has been designated as the nodal agency for all petroleum and gas information under the Essential Commodities Act.
On the maritime front, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf. The DG Shipping control room has handled over 3,425 calls and 6,539 emails since activation, and more than 488 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated. Crude oil vessel Jag Laadki arrived at Mundra Port on 18 March and is currently discharging cargo.
A significant development on trade: the government has approved the RELIEF package (Resilience and Logistic Intervention for Export Facilitation) with a total outlay of Rs 497 crore under the Export Promotion Mission, aimed at supporting exporters amid ongoing logistics disruptions. An Inter-Ministerial Group on Supply Chain Resilience has been operational since 3 March 2026.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Modi spoke with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, reiterating India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and underlining the importance of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Since 28 February, approximately 2,80,000 passengers have returned to India from the region.
