Bhubaneswar: Dismissing fears of fuel shortage due to West Asia crisis, the Odisha government on Thursday stated that the state has adequate stocks of LPG, petrol and diesel.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said that people have no reason to worry as the state has adequate stocks of fuel amid the gulf crisis.
Stating that sufficient LPG stocks are available in the state, he said there is no restriction on private sector supply of up to 50% of cooking gas required by hotels.
The assurance comes amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over potential disruptions in global fuel supply chains.
Officials said India has secured an LPG cargo from Iran to meet domestic demand — the first such purchase since 2019 — following indications that the United States may ease some sanctions.
Sources said the cargo, originally meant for China, was redirected to India and is expected to arrive at Mangaluru port.
The LPG shipment will be distributed among state-run oil firms — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited — to ensure steady supply across the country.
In a separate update, the Centre said all oil refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and domestic LPG production has been increased.
Fuel retail outlets across the country are functioning normally, with no reports of dry-outs at LPG distributorships or petrol pumps.
The government advised the public to ignore rumours regarding fuel shortage. At the same time, authorities have intensified crackdown on hoarding and black marketing of LPG.
