NEW DELHI (March 29, 2026) — The Indian government has strongly dismissed viral social media rumors regarding an impending fuel shortage and a potential national lockdown. Assuring citizens of uninterrupted energy supplies, officials confirmed that more than 54 lakh domestic LPG refills were successfully delivered in a single day, while commercial LPG allocations have been significantly boosted.
Following the outbreak of the West Asia conflict and recent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, widespread misinformation triggered isolated incidents of panic buying at fuel stations and a massive spike in advance LPG bookings. In response, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued a detailed clarification stating that all domestic refineries are operating at high capacities with adequate crude inventories.
To shield households from the global energy shock, the government has prioritized domestic supplies. Authorities confirmed that over 54 lakh domestic cylinders were dispatched nationwide on Friday alone, and zero distributorships across the country have reported stock dry-outs. Furthermore, to prevent the illegal diversion of subsidized domestic cylinders to the black market, mandatory Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) usage has been aggressively ramped up from 53% to 84%.
As the supply chain stabilizes—aided by a 40% increase in domestic LPG production and newly secured non-West Asian imports—the Centre is progressively easing restrictions on commercial gas usage. The commercial LPG allocation for states and union territories has now been raised to 70% of pre-crisis requirements, up from the heavily curtailed 50% limit.
The most recent 20% allocation hike is specifically directed at supporting vital, labor-intensive sectors such as steel, automobiles, textiles, dyes, chemicals, and plastics. The petroleum ministry noted that priority within these sectors will be given to process industries that rely on LPG for specialized heating and cannot easily substitute it with piped natural gas (PNG).
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri took to social media to dispel the ongoing panic, explicitly labeling rumors of an energy-induced national lockdown as “completely false.” He assured the public that despite global market constraints, India continues to remain an “oasis of energy security, availability, and affordability.”
In a supplementary press release, the government stated: “The country is maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel. Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption, and retail outlets continue to function normally across the country.”
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm, avoid unnecessary panic buying, and rely solely on verified government channels for updates. State administrations have been directed to invoke the Essential Commodities Act to conduct daily raids, actively cracking down on any hoarding or black marketing of cylinders. Consumers are also encouraged to utilize digital booking platforms and, where feasible, transition to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to further ease the logistical strain.
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