New Delhi: The Petroleum Ministry on Saturday issued a revised supply order barring consumers with piped natural gas (PNG) connections from keeping or acquiring domestic LPG cylinders, a move designed to stretch national fuel reserves amid intensifying global supply volatility.

Under the amended Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, state-run oil marketing companies are now prohibited from providing new connections or refilling existing cylinders for any household already serviced by a PNG line. The directive requires such individuals to immediately surrender their domestic LPG equipment.

The decision arrives as New Delhi moves to optimise energy resources in response to maritime disruptions in the Middle East. India, the world’s second-largest LPG consumer, currently depends on imports for nearly 90% of its cooking gas requirements, a supply chain recently complicated by the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Safety Warnings and Enforcement

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) also issued an urgent advisory regarding fuel safety, warning citizens against the storage of petrol or diesel in improper containers.

"Petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country. Consumers are advised not to take or store fuel in loose or inappropriate containers, as it poses serious safety risks," the Ministry stated in a post on X.

The warning followed an incident in Tamil Nadu where a retail outlet was found dispensing petrol into a loose container. Officials confirmed that the petrol pump's operations have been suspended and emphasised that all fuel dealers must strictly adhere to safety protocols or face legal action.

National Stock Levels

Despite the new restrictions, senior officials maintain that the country’s fuel position remains robust. No "dry-outs" have been reported across the nation's approximately 100,000 retail outlets, and the government has urged the public to refrain from panic buying.

"As of now, the country has a refining capacity of around 258 MMTPA and is the fourth-largest refining hub in the world," a senior ministry official said, noting that India is currently self-sufficient in petrol and diesel production.

Natural Gas Prioritisation

To further stabilise the market, the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act on March 9 to issue a Natural Gas Control Order. This mandate directs 100% supply of PNG and CNG to households and transport sectors, respectively, without any curtailment.

"There is no need to panic," the official added, clarifying that while essential sectors are being fully supplied, industrial and commercial gas deliveries are currently being regulated at approximately 80% of their usual levels to prioritise domestic needs.

With inputs from IANS