Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday warned against the spread of misinformation regarding a fuel shortage in India and firmly ruled out any possibility of a lockdown, amid rising concerns linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict.

“There is absolutely no plan for a lockdown,” Fadnavis said, urging citizens not to believe rumours. He stressed that India remains well-prepared to manage the current global fuel crisis.

Strict action against fake news on fuel crisis

The Chief Minister said that misleading information is being circulated to create panic. Referring to a recent meeting chaired by Narendra Modi, he noted that states have been directed to take strict action against those spreading fake news on fuel shortages and lockdowns.

“Spreading false information during sensitive times is against national interest. We will act firmly against such elements,” he said.

Maharashtra pushes PNG expansion to strengthen energy security

To mitigate the impact of global energy disruptions, Fadnavis said the Maharashtra government is accelerating the rollout of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure.

A recent government resolution has relaxed norms for laying gas pipelines across municipal corporations, aiming to shift urban households from LPG to PNG and improve energy efficiency and fuel management.

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India prepared amid global energy uncertainty

Fadnavis assured that despite challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, India’s energy security remains stable due to proactive planning and diversified sourcing.

He highlighted that India imports fuel from over 41 countries, reducing dependence on any single region and ensuring a steady supply even amid disruptions such as restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Centre absorbing fuel price shock, LPG supply increased

The Chief Minister said the central government has absorbed rising global fuel costs to protect consumers from price shocks. He added that domestic LPG supply has increased by 75 per cent, ensuring uninterrupted access for households.

Fadnavis also noted that India has avoided severe measures seen in other countries, such as reduced work weeks or mandatory work-from-home policies, despite the ongoing global crisis.

With strong energy policies, diversified imports, and infrastructure expansion, India continues to maintain stability while tackling the impact of global fuel volatility, he said.

IANS