Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the extended Srinagar-Katra Vande Bharat Express service from Jammu Tawi Railway Station tomorrow, i.e. on 30th April 2026. The train, which previously operated from Srinagar up to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, will now run all the way to Jammu Tawi, bringing the country’s most modern train directly to J&K’s largest city and railway hub.

Following the flag-off, the Union Minister will subsequently inspect two of the most remarkable engineering structures on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), the Anji Bridge and the Chenab Bridge.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on 6th June 2025, the train ran with 8 coaches. Since then, the train has consistently been running at full capacity, with an overwhelming response from passengers. The decision to augment the rake to 20 coaches is a direct response to that demand, more than doubling the train’s seating capacity at a stroke, and significantly easing the pressure on reservations and waitlists, particularly during peak pilgrimage and tourist seasons.

For pilgrims who have watched seats sell out days in advance, for tourists planning a trip to the Valley, and for locals who rely on this service for everyday travel, the expanded rake means the train is now far less likely to turn them away. With the extension to Jammu Tawi happening simultaneously, the 20-coach Vande Bharat arrives at its largest catchment city with the capacity to match it, a train finally built to the scale of the demand it has always inspired.

While tomorrow’s flag-off marks the inaugural run, the extended Jammu Tawi–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express will enter regular service from 2nd May 2026. Two pairs of services will operate across the corridor, covering a distance of around 266 km.

The first service (Train No. 26401) departs Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM, halts at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, arriving at Srinagar at 11:10 AM, a journey of four hours and fifty minutes. Its return (Train No. 26402) leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM and reaches Jammu Tawi by 6:50 PM. This pair runs six days a week, except Tuesday.

The second service (Train No. 26404) departs Srinagar at 8:00 AM, halts at Banihal and Katra, and arrives at Jammu Tawi by 12:40 PM. Its return (Train No. 26403) departs Jammu Tawi at 1:20 PM and reaches Srinagar by 6:00 PM. This pair runs six days a week, except Wednesday.

Together, the two pairs ensure that passengers have a morning and an afternoon Vande Bharat option from both ends of the corridor on most days of the week, giving travellers meaningful flexibility in planning their journeys.

Extending the Vande Bharat’s run from Katra all the way to Jammu Tawi is a straightforward but consequential change for ordinary travellers across the entire J&K region. Until now, pilgrims and passengers arriving at Jammu Tawi Railway Station, which is one of the busiest railheads in northern India, connecting trains from Delhi, Mumbai, and beyond had to change trains or arrange separate road transport to reach Katra. With the extension, they will be able to board the Vande Bharat directly at Jammu Tawi and reach the Vaishno Devi base camp at Katra, and travel onwards all the way to Srinagar, without a single interchange.

The same seamless journey works in the other direction too. A traveller boarding at Srinagar will now be able to reach Jammu Tawi in a single, unbroken ride, connecting directly to the national rail network.

The Pilgrim: A Blessed Journey Made Easier

For the millions of devotees who travel each year to seek the blessings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, this extension removes a persistent inconvenience, the mandatory interchange at Katra. Until now, a pilgrim had to alight at Katra and board a separate Vande Bharat to continue onward, or vice versa. That break in journey is now eliminated. More significantly, for the growing number of pilgrims who combine the Vaishno Devi darshan at Katra with the Amarnath Yatra, whose base camps at Pahalgam and Baltal are accessed from Srinagar, the entire pilgrim circuit of J&K is now achievable on a single, unbroken rail journey, without a change of train, a second reservation, or the anxiety of a missed connection.

For the Indian and international tourist, this extension opens an entirely new way to experience Jammu & Kashmir. A visitor flying into Jammu can now board the Vande Bharat at Jammu Tawi and ride through some of the most breathtaking terrain on the subcontinent, past the Shivalik foothills, across the engineering marvel of the Chenab and Anji bridges, through tunnels carved into the Himalayan rock and arrive in Srinagar, ready to experience the Dal Lake, the Mughal Gardens, and the legendary hospitality of the Valley. No highway delays, no mountain road anxiety, no weather-dependent road closures.

The extension is expected to give a significant boost to tourism across the entire J&K corridor, making the region accessible to a far broader segment of travellers who may have been deterred by the logistics of the journey.

The Local Commuter: Years of Interchanges, Now Gone

For residents of Jammu, Katra, Reasi, and the Kashmir Valley, the extension addresses a long-standing inconvenience. A student from Srinagar travelling to Jammu for college, a government official commuting between the two capitals of J&K, a patient travelling to a hospital in Jammu, all of them previously had to break their journey at Katra and arrange onward transport. That interchange is now eliminated.

Crucially, this matters most in winter. When heavy snowfall blocks the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, sometimes for days at a stretch, the railway corridor becomes a lifeline. The Vande Bharat, designed to operate in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius with heated windshields, advanced heating systems, and all-weather components, will provide a reliable, weather-proof link between the Valley and the rest of the country at precisely those moments when road travel becomes impossible or dangerous.

The Trader, the Artisan, the Businessperson: Commerce at High Speed

Kashmir’s economy runs on its crafts, the pashmina shawls, walnut wood carvings, hand-knotted carpets, and saffron that find buyers across India and the world. Artisans and traders from the Valley have long grappled with the cost and uncertainty of moving goods and themselves between Srinagar and Jammu. A faster, more reliable, and more affordable rail connection directly cuts the time and cost of doing business.

A Kashmiri artisan heading to a trade fair in Jammu, a fruit exporter from the Valley coordinating a consignment, a textile businessman from Jammu sourcing handicrafts in Srinagar, each of them will find the extended Vande Bharat service a meaningful improvement in the economics of their work. The connectivity also opens up possibilities for smaller traders and entrepreneurs who previously found the journey too cumbersome to make frequently.

Key intermediate stations on the route will also see enhanced connectivity, giving businesses and communities in these towns direct access to both Jammu and Srinagar without changing trains.

Anji and Chenab: Where Engineering Meets the Himalayas

During his visit, the Union Minister will inspect the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, rising 331 metres above the Anji River valley and anchored by 96 high-tensile cables. He will also inspect the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge at 359 metres above the riverbed, taller than the Eiffel Tower. Both structures are the backbone of the USBRL, the 272-km project through the Himalayas that now makes this extended Vande Bharat service possible.

A Decade of Rail Transformation in J&K

The extension of the Vande Bharat to Jammu Tawi is the latest milestone in a decade-long effort to transform railway connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir. The Udhampur-Katra section was commissioned in 2014. The Kashmir Valley saw its first electric train in February 2024. A dedicated Jammu Railway Division was created in January 2025. Stations at Jammu Tawi, Katra, Udhampur, and Budgam are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The USBRL, built at a total cost of ₹43,780 crore with 36 tunnels spanning 119 km and 943 bridges, is the connective tissue that makes all of it possible.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first Vande Bharat on this corridor last year, it was a historic moment. Tomorrow’s extension to Jammu Tawi takes that history forward and brings its benefits to millions more.

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: To advance India’s cybersecurity audit ecosystem and bolster the nation’s overall cyber resilience, CERT-In successfully hosted a three-day National Annual Conference — “CERT-In SAMVAAD 2026” — bringing together over 500 delegates, including policymakers, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from industry and regulatory bodies, representatives from CERT-In Empanelled Auditing Organisations and cybersecurity professionals from across the country.

The conference was organised in association with BITS Pilani, Goa and held from April 27 to April 29, 2026, at the BITS Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus. The theme of the conference was “Securing Digital Bharat through Future-Ready Audits: Adapting, Assuring, Advancing”.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa. The conference was conceived and executed under Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In and had in attendance Shri K. R. Chaurasia, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Goa; Shri S. S. Sarma, Senior Director, CERT-In; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus; Dr. Nirupam Mehrotra, Director, Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Lucknow; Shri Ashutosh Bahuguna, Scientist ‘E’ and Team Lead Assurance, CERT-In; Shri Shashi Dharan, Managing Director, Bharat Exhibitions; and Shri Abhishek Solanki, Scientist ‘D’, CERT-In.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, noted that while Goa has traditionally been celebrated for its “Sun, Sand and Sea,” the state is now emerging as a hub for cybersecurity as well. He observed that delegates from across the country and beyond had gathered not only to experience Goa’s scenic beauty, but also to engage in meaningful deliberations on securing India’s digital future. He highlighted the critical role played by CERT-In as India’s nodal cybersecurity agency in guiding national cybersecurity preparedness.

In his keynote address, Shri Sarma, Senior Director, CERT-In underscored the significance of the event and emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing evolving cyber threats. He noted that SAMVAAD 2026 offers a vital platform for auditing organisations to upgrade their practices, exchange knowledge and collectively contribute to building a more cyber-resilient India.

Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, spoke about the evolving cyber threat landscape facing Indian organisations and stressed the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity audits to protect digital infrastructure, vital systems and sensitive data. Expressing appreciation for CERT-In’s initiative, he conveyed confidence that the conference would empower Information Security Auditing Organisations to enhance their capabilities and elevate audit standards.

Ms. Revati Kumar, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Goa Electronics Limited delivered a special address highlighting the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Goa and outlining a forward-looking roadmap for collaboration with CERT-In to strengthen the state’s cyber resilience.

The event witnessed several landmark developments in the cybersecurity domain. These included the launch of AMBAK (Audit Monitoring, Benchmarking, Analysis and Kinetic Interventions) and launch of progress reports by the Working Groups on emerging domains. Additionally, CERT-In, in collaboration with BIRD and NABARD, introduced an advanced cybersecurity certification course for Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs), reflecting a strong commitment to skill development, institutional capacity building and the enablement at grassroot level.

A highlight of the event was a panel discussion on “Auditing the Future: Securing Emerging Technologies through Next-Generation Cybersecurity Audits,” moderated by Shri S. S. Sarma. The panel featured distinguished representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Satcom Industry Association of India, CRIS, BSE Limited and Airtel Payments Bank. Senior government officials and leading industry experts also delivered a series of insightful sessions throughout the conference.

The three-day programme featured parallel management and technical tracks, with over 87 presentations selected from more than 200 submissions, representing cutting-edge cybersecurity audit practices. Topics covered included the cybersecurity of space assets such as UAVs and satellites; emerging tools for automated audits; securing next-generation technologies including IoT, AI driven cyber risks such as emerging frontier AI models with advanced cyber capabilities, blockchain and quantum communication & Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC); SBOM, CBOM, QBOM and HBOM implementation; AI driven red teaming methodologies; supply chain audits; and innovative approaches to auditing complex environments such as cloud systems, APIs and operational technology.

Participants gained deep insights into the latest trends, tools and methodologies shaping the future of cybersecurity audits. Key learnings spanned emerging automation tools, strategic risk management, audit frameworks and adaptive approaches for assessing complex digital environments. Delegates left with actionable strategies for strengthening cybersecurity audit readiness with a particular emphasis on proactive risk assessment, resilience testing, process automation, compliance strengthening and continuous improvement in audit quality.

Fixed Rates for E-Rickshaws & E-Autos Notified Separately; ₹15/km for E-Rickshaws, Slab-Based Fare for E-Autos at ₹25/km

Srinagar, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a significant revision in public transport fares, announcing an 18 percent hike across multiple categories of commercial passenger vehicles in the Union Territory.

According to a notification issued by the Transport Department, the Transport Commissioner, J&K has been directed to fix the revised maximum chargeable fares in accordance with the approved hike, which will be applicable over and above the rates notified earlier under SRO-97 dated March 19, 2021.

The revised fare structure will cover a wide range of commercial passenger vehicles, including big buses, medium and mini buses operating as stage carriages, as well as various categories of taxis and maxi cabs. These include base model contract carriage vehicles such as Sumo, Bolero, Tata Indica, Swift, Tata Winger and Tempo Traveller, along with medium segment tourist vehicles like Scorpio and Xylo, and premium class vehicles including Innova and Fortuner.

In addition, the 18 percent fare hike will also apply to petrol-driven auto-rickshaws and Tata Magic vehicles operating as stage carriages, thereby impacting daily commuters across both urban and rural areas.

Meanwhile, the government has separately notified fare rates for electric vehicles operating in the Union Territory. As per the order, e-rickshaws will charge ₹15 per kilometre, while e-autos will charge ₹25 for the first kilometre and ₹20 for each subsequent kilometre.

The notification has been issued under the provisions of Section 67 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, partially modifying the earlier fare notification. Officials said the move is aimed at rationalising transport fares in view of prevailing operational costs and ensuring sustainability of public transport services.

The order has been issued by Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Dr. Piyush Singla (IAS), and necessary directions have been passed to ensure its implementation across the Union Territory.

Authorities have advised commuters and transport operators to adhere to the revised fare structure once formally implemented by the Transport Commissioner.

Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: Amid the evolving situation in West Asia, the Government of India continues its efforts to keep citizens informed through regular updates. In this regard, a media briefing was held today at the National Media Centre, where officers from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and External Affairs provided updates on fuel availability, maritime operations, assistance to Indian nationals in the region, and measures being undertaken to maintain stability across key sectors.

Energy Supply and Fuel Availability

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas provided an update on the current fuel supply situation, outlining measures being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG in the context of the evolving situation in West Asia. It was noted that:

Public Advisory and Citizen Awareness

• Citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol, diesel and LPG as the Govt is making all efforts to ensure availability of petrol, diesel and LPG.
• Beware of rumours and rely on official sources for correct information.
• LPG consumers are requested to use digital booking platforms and avoid visiting distributors.
• Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops.
• All citizens are requested to make necessary efforts to conserve energy in their daily use during the current situation.

Government Preparedness and Supply Management Measures

• Despite the ongoing geopolitical situation, the Government has ensured that 100% supply is being made to Domestic LPG, Domestic PNG and CNG (Transport).
• For commercial LPG, priority has been given to hospitals, educational institutions. Besides this, priority has also been given to pharma, steel, automobile, seed, agriculture, etc. In addition to this, supply of 5 Kg FTL to migrant labour is also doubled based on avg. daily supply on 2nd and 3rd March 2026.
• The Government has already implemented several rationalisation measures on both the supply and demand side, including enhancing refinery production, increasing the booking interval from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritising sectors for supply.
• Alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal have been made available to ease pressure on LPG demand.
• The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India and Singareni Collieries to supply additional coal to States for distribution to small and medium consumers.
• States have been advised to facilitate new PNG connections for domestic and commercial consumers.

Coordinated Efforts with States/UTs and Institutional Mechanisms

• State Governments are empowered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and LPG Control Order, 2000 to monitor supply and act against hoarding and black marketing.
• Govt. of States/UTs have to play a primary role in monitoring and regulating supply situation of essential commodities including Petrol, Diesel and LPG. Govt. of India has reiterated the same via multiple letters and VCs to all States/UTs.
• The Government of India vide letters dated 27.03.2026 and 02.04.2026 have stressed the need for proactive public communication to reassure citizens regarding adequate fuel availability. Regular review meetings are being held with States/UTs. In this context, meetings were convened on 02.04.2026 (Chaired by Secretary, MoPNG) and on 06.04.2026 (Chaired by Secretary, MoPNG along with Secretaries of I&B and Consumer Affairs), wherein the following was emphasized:
  • To issue daily press briefings and issue regular public advisories.
  • To actively monitor and counter fake news / misinformation on social media.
  • To intensify daily enforcement drives by District admin and to continue raids and inspections in coordination with OMCs
  • To issue Commercial LPG allocation orders within their States/UTs
  • To issue SKO allocation orders for additional SKO allotted to the States/UTs.
  • To promote PNG adoptions and alternate fuels.
  • To prioritize LPG supply, especially for domestic needs, and adopt targeted distribution of 5 kg FTL cylinders to ensure supply stability.
• All States/UTs have established control rooms and district monitoring committees to curb hoarding and black marketing.
• Many states/UTs are issuing/carrying out press briefs.

Enforcement and Monitoring Actions

• Enforcement actions continue across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. Yesterday, more than 2200 raids were conducted across the country.
• PSU OMCs have strengthened and continued surprise inspections and imposed penalties on 325 LPG distributorships, and 72 LPG distributorships have been suspended till yesterday.
• Yesterday, show cause notices were issued to 54 LPG distributors, and penalties were imposed on 9 distributorships.

LPG Supply

Domestic LPG Supply Status:

• LPG supply continues to be affected by the prevailing geopolitical situation.
• Supply of LPG to domestic households has been prioritized.
• No dry-outs have been reported at LPG distributorships.
• Online LPG cylinder bookings increased to 98% on industry basis yesterday.
• Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) based deliveries have increased to more than 94% to prevent diversion. DAC is received on the registered mobile number of the consumer.

• On 28.04.2026, more than 50.8 Lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered.

Commercial LPG Supply and Allocation Measures:

• Total commercial LPG allocation has been increased to about 70% of pre-crisis levels, including 10% reform-linked allocation.
• The Government of India vide letter dated 06.04.2026 has conveyed that daily quantity of 5 Kg FTL cylinders in each State available for disbursal to migrant labourers is being doubled based on the average daily supply (Number of cylinders) to migrant labourers during 2nd-3rd March 2026 beyond the limit of 20% mentioned in letter dated 21.03.2026. These 5 Kg FTL cylinders are at disposal of the State Government for supplying only to migrant labourers in their State with assistance of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• The total number of 5 Kg FTL cylinders sold during the month of Feb-26 were 21.7 Lakh. However, since 1^st April 2026, about 21.05 Lakh – 5 Kg FTL cylinders have been sold.
• Yesterday, more than 73,000 – 5 Kg FTL cylinders were delivered.
• Since 3^rd April 2026, PSU OMCs have organised more than 9550 awareness camps for 5 Kg FTL Cylinders, wherein more than 1,59,000 – 5Kg FTL cylinders were also sold.
• Yesterday, 2759 – 5 Kg FTLs were sold through about 175 camps.
• A three-member committee of Executive Directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL is coordinating with State authorities and industry bodies to plan commercial LPG distribution in the States/UTs.
• During the month of April-26 (till 28.04.26), a total of 1,84,043 MT (Equivalent to more than 96.86 Lakh of 19 Kg LPG Cylinders) of Commercial LPG has been sold.

• On 28.04.2026, 8838 MT of Commercial LPG (Equivalent to more than 4.65 Lakh – 19 Kg cylinders) was sold.

• During the month of April-26 (till 28.04.2026), sale of Auto LPG has been more than 9880 MT as compared to the sale of around 5000 MT during Feb-26.

• Avg. Auto LPG sale by PSU OMCs in the month of April-26 (till 28.04.26) is around 353 MT/day against the avg. of around 177 MT/day during Jan-26 and Feb-26.  This reflects an increase of around 100% in Auto LPG sales by PSU OMCs.

Natural Gas Supply and PNG Expansion Initiatives

• Consumers have been prioritised with 100% supplies to D-PNG and CNG-Transport.
• The overall gas allocation to fertilizer plants has been enhanced to approximately 95% of their six-month average consumption.

• Additionally, gas supply to other industrial and commercial sectors, including supplies through CGD networks, is enhanced up to 80%.
• CGD entities have been advised to prioritize PNG connections for commercial establishments such as hotels, restaurants and canteens across all their GAs, to address concerns regarding the availability of commercial LPG.
• CGD companies including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL are offering incentives for domestic and commercial PNG connections.
• States/UTs and Central Ministries have been requested to expedite approvals required for expansion of CGD networks.
• The Government of India vide letter dated 18.03.2026 has offered all States/UTs additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG to States provided they can help in long term transition from LPG to PNG.
• 22 States/UTs are receiving additional commercial LPG allocation linked to PNG expansion reforms.
• The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways vide letter dated 24.03.26 has adopted an ‘Accelerated Approval Framework for CGD infrastructure with reduced timelines’ as a special for 3 months to process applications pertaining to CGD infrastructure on priority.
• The Government of India vide Gazette dated 24.03.2026 has notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Order provides a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country, addressing delays in approvals and access to land, and enabling faster development of natural gas infrastructure, including in residential areas. It is expected to accelerate PNG network growth, enhance last-mile connectivity, and support the transition to cleaner fuels, thereby strengthening energy security and advancing India’s gas-based economy.
• PNGRB has directed CGD entities to expedite D-PNG connections. Also, the National PNG Drive 2.0 has been extended till 30.06.2026 to sustain momentum in PNG expansion.
• To encourage a cleaner, more secure and self-reliant energy future, the Government of India has developed a model draft State CBG Policy. The model policy is intended to serve as a comprehensive flexible guiding framework to enable States to create their own investor-friendly and implementation-oriented ecosystem for CBG development. Those States which opt for this, will be prioritized for the next tranche of additional allocation of commercial LPG.
• MoEFCC vide order dated 07.04.2026 has directed CPCB to issue necessary directions to SPCB/PCCs for granting consent to establish or consent to operate within 15 days for CGD network/infrastructure.
• Since March 2026, about 5.69 Lakh PNG connections have been gasified and infrastructure has been created for additional 2.65 Lakh connections, taking the total to 8.34 lakh connections. Further, about 6.37 Lakh customers have been registered for new connections.
• Till 28.04.2026, more than 42,950 PNG consumers have surrendered their LPG connections via MYPNGD.in website.

Crude Position and Refinery Operations

• All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, while sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained.
• Domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support domestic consumption.
• An inter-ministerial Joint Working Group (JWG) has been set up to ensure availability of petrochemical feedstock supply for the domestic market. Subsequently, Govt. of India vide order dated 01.04.2026 has permitted Oil Refinery companies including Petrochemical Complexes to make certain minimum quantities of C3 & C4 streams available for critical sectors as determined by Centre for High Technology (CHT).
• Based on the requests received from the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Chemicals & Petro Chemicals (DCPC), Dept. for Promotion of Industry and internal trade (DPIIT), the provision for 1000 MT/day, from LPG pool, has been made for Pharma and Chemical sector companies.

• Since 9^th April 2026, more than 8900 MT of propylene and more than 950 MT of Butyl Acrylate has been sold by Mumbai, Kochi, Vizag, Chennai and Mathura refineries to Chemical, Pharma and Paint Industries.

Retail Fuel Availability and pricing Measures

• All Retail outlets are operating normally across the country.
• The Middle East crisis has led to an abnormal increase in crude prices; however, to protect consumers, the Government of India has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre.
• Govt. of India vide Gazette notification dated 11.04.2026 has increased the export levy on diesel to Rs. 55.50 per litre and on ATF to Rs. 42 per litre, to ensure availability of these products in the domestic market.

• Panic buying is observed at certain Retail Outlets due to rumours.  It is informed that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all Petrol Pumps in the country. Regular Retail Prices for Petrol and Diesel are unchanged and there is no price increase at PSU OMCs Retail Outlets.

Kerosene Availability and Distribution Measures

• An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been provided to States/UTs over and above regular allocation.
• 18 States/UTs have issued SKO allocation orders, while Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have indicated no requirement.

Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways provided an update on the prevailing maritime situation in the Persian Gulf, detailing the measures being undertaken to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and crew in the region. It was stated that:

• Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reviewed the steps taken by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), and Department of Fertilisers (DoF), to ensure smooth maritime operations and facilitate export-import through shipping.
• All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours.
• DG Shipping Control Room Update: The Control Room has handled 8,034 calls and more than 17,114 emails since activation. In the past 24 hours, 114 calls and 276 emails have been received.
• The Ministry, through the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 2,829 Indian seafarers so far, including 29 in the last 24 hours from various locations across the Gulf region.
• Port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion reported.

Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region

The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, with focused efforts on ensuring safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region. It was informed that:

• The Dedicated special control room in the Ministry is operational to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is in regular contact with State Governments and Union Territories for sharing of information and better alignment of efforts.
• Indian embassies and consulates continue to operate round-the-clock helplines to provide timely assistance and are proactively assisting our citizens. They are also in close contact with the local Governments.
• Updated advisories are being issued including information related to local government guidelines, flight and travel situations, consular services and various welfare measures being undertaken for the community.
• Indian Missions are actively engaged with the resident Indian community. They are regularly interacting with the Indian community associations, organizations, professional groups, and Indian companies to address their concerns.
• Government is according high priority to the welfare of Indian seafarers in the region. Indian Missions are extending all assistance to them including coordination with the local authorities and agencies, extending consular assistance, and assisting for requests to return to India.
• The overall flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India.
• In the UAE, airlines continue to operate limited commercial flights between the UAE and India based on operational and safety considerations, with around 110 flights expected today between UAE and India.
• Flights continue to operate from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to various destinations in India.
• With Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is operating flights to various destinations in India. Air India and Indigo are also planning to resume flight operations from Qatar to India soon.
• Kuwait airspace is open. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways have resumed limited flight operations from Kuwait to India.
• Bahrain airspace is open. Gulf Air is operating flights from Bahrain to various destinations in India. Air India Express and Indigo are also planning to resume flight operations from Bahrain to India soon.
• Iraq airspace is open with limited flight operations to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.
• Iran airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights. Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to Iran and those already there are urged to leave via land border routes, with Indian Embassy’s support. So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated movement of 2,464 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes.
• Israel airspace is open and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward travel to India.