New Delhi: In a bid to cushion exporters from logistics disruptions triggered by the West Asia crisis, the government has announced a 15-day fee waiver at Mundra port for containers bound for the Middle East.
The decision was revealed at Tuesday’s inter-ministerial briefing. Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajesh Sinha said the waiver is intended to ensure smoother trade flows and reduce cost pressures on exporters dealing with disruptions in the region, as reported by The Economic Times.
Diplomatic efforts underscored the push for regional stability. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal disclosed that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call late in the evening from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia, with both sides reiterating the importance of keeping shipping lines open and secure in the interest of the global community.”
Addressing public concerns over fuel, officials affirmed ample supplies nationwide. Joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, assured “sufficient crude oil is available at all domestic refineries and supply chains remain stable.” Petrol pumps report no shortages, and prices for petrol or diesel have stayed unchanged.
To prevent irregularities, oil marketing companies (OMCs) are undertaking surprise inspections for uninterrupted distribution. Enforcement agencies have seized around 2,000 LPG cylinders in recent raids.
The government also dismissed shortage fears on cooking gas availability stating there is no “dry-out” at LPG distributorships. Priorities include domestic PNG connections and 5-kg cylinders for migrant workers. Officials highlighted that “92% of LPG bookings are being made online. While there has been a surge in demand, deliveries remain stable,” adding there is no need for panic.
