New Delhi, Mar 14 India has adequate stocks of petrol and diesel at retail outlets nationwide, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Saturday, urging consumers not to store fuel in loose or inappropriate containers due to safety risks.
In a post on X, the ministry said oil marketing companies have maintained sufficient fuel supplies across the country and there is no shortage at petrol pumps.
The advisory follows an incident at a retail outlet in Tamil Nadu where petrol was dispensed into a loose container, which the ministry described as unsafe and not advisable. The concerned outlet has since been suspended and appropriate action has been initiated.
Authorities have also directed all dealers and retail outlets to strictly adhere to safety guidelines while dispensing fuel, warning that violations will attract strict action.
Earlier, the government had advised consumers to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG, reiterating that adequate stocks are available across India. According to the ministry, no instances of fuel dry-outs have been reported at any of the country’s nearly one lakh retail outlets.
A senior official said India currently has a refining capacity of around 258 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), making it the world’s fourth-largest refining hub.
The government has also issued a Natural Gas Control Order on March 9 under the Essential Commodities Act, directing 100 per cent supply of PNG and CNG without cuts. Supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are currently being regulated at about 80 per cent, the official added.
