Vinod Bhat

New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri today made a statement in the Lok Sabha  informing the House about the steps taken by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in response to the disruption to global energy supply arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The Minister apprised the House of the measures being undertaken to ensure the continued availability of petroleum products and to safeguard India’s energy security in the evolving global situation.

The statement made by the Minister is reproduced below:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

I rise to inform the House of steps taken in response to the disruption to the global energy supply arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

The world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history. Today is the 13^th day since the passage through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of world’s crude, 20% of world’s natural gas and 20% of the world’s LPG flows, was disrupted following the military operation between Iran, Israel and the US. For the first time in recorded history, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to commercial shipping. Despite India having no role in causing the conflict, like many countries, India has to navigate through its consequences.

2. The contrast with how other nations are managing this crisis places India’s response in its sharpest relief. A country in our neighborhood has shut all schools for two weeks, moved government offices to a four-day work week, ordered 50 per cent of public employees to work from home, cut fuel allowances for official vehicles by half, and taken 60 per cent of government vehicles off the road. This country has experienced the largest single fuel price increase in its history, with petrol up approximately 20 per cent in a week. Another neighbor has closed universities early and brought forward the Eid-al-Fitr holiday to save fuel. Countries in SE Asia also have had to take energy rationing and conservation measures.

CRUDE and PETROL, DIESEL:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

3. India’s crude supply position is secure, and volumes secured exceed what Hormuz would have delivered. Before this crisis, approximately 45 per cent of India’s crude imports transited the Hormuz route. Thanks to Hon’ble PM’s outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that exceed what the disrupted Strait route would have delivered in the same period. Non-Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70 per cent of crude imports, up from 55 per cent before the conflict began. India sources crude from 40 countries, against 27 in 2006-07; this structural diversification, built through sustained policy over successive years, has given us options that other nations now find themselves without. Refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation; in several cases, they are exceeding 100 per cent.

4. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil is fully assured. Retail outlets across the country are stocked and supply chains for these products are functioning normally. Additional allocation of PDS Kerosene has been issued to all the States.

NATURAL GAS:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

5. Natural gas supply has been managed through prioritised allocation, and the position is stable well beyond immediate need. India produces approximately 90 MMSCMD (Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per Day) of natural gas domestically. A further 30 MMSCMD was previously imported through Gulf sources now affected by the force majeure declaration from a major Qatari processing facility. The Natural Gas Control Order issued on 9 March 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act established an immediate priority sequence. Domestic piped gas to homes and CNG for vehicles receive 100 per cent supply with no cuts. Industrial and manufacturing consumers will receive upto 80 per cent of their previous six-month average. Fertiliser plants will receive upto 70 per cent, protecting the agricultural input chain ahead of the sowing season. Refineries and petrochemical units absorb a managed reduction, with that gas redirected to higher-priority sectors. I am pleased to inform the House that the shortfall has been substantially offset through alternative procurement. Large LNG cargoes are arriving on an almost daily basis through alternative supply routes, and India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and for industry is fully protected.

LPG:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

6. It should be noted that India was previously importing approximately 60 per cent of its LPG requirements from Gulf countries such as Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait and 40 per cent is produced domestically. Procurement has now been actively diversified, with cargoes being secured from the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria, and Russia, in addition to available Gulf sources.

The LPG Control Order issued on 8 March 2026 directed all refineries to maximise LPG yields and channel the entire output of C3 and C4 hydrocarbon streams, comprising propane, butane, propylene, and butenes, exclusively to the three Oil Marketing Companies for domestic cooking gas. Hence, in the last 5 days, LPG production has been increased by 28 per cent through refinery directives, and further procurement is actively underway.

7. Modi Govt’s foremost priority is that the kitchens of India’s 33+ crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage. Domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle is unchanged. The standard time from booking to delivery for domestic LPG cylinders remains 2.5 days, unchanged from pre-crisis norms. Hospitals and educational institutions have been placed on uninterrupted priority supply; their access to LPG is fully assured regardless of broader demand conditions. Field reports indicate hoarding and panic-booking at the distributor and retail level, driven by consumer anxiety rather than any actual supply shortage. The House should be clear on this: the rush-booking pressure in some localities reflects a demand distortion, not a production or supply failure. Delivery Authentication Code coverage is being expanded from 50 per cent to 90 per cent of consumers; under this system, a cylinder can only be logged as delivered when the consumer confirms receipt through a one-time code on their registered mobile, making undocumented diversion effectively impossible to conceal. A 25-day minimum booking gap has been introduced as a demand management measure in urban areas and 45 days in rural and durgam kshetra areas. OMC field officers and the Anti-Adulteration Cell are coordinating enforcement at the distributor level. The Home Secretary has chaired a meeting with Chief Secretaries of all states to align state-level administration with the central supply and enforcement framework.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

8. Commercial LPG has been regulated to prevent black marketing, not to penalise the hospitality sector. Commercial LPG is sold in a completely deregulated, over-the-counter market at market price, without any government subsidy. There is no registration system, no booking requirement, no digital authentication, and no delivery confirmation mechanism. Any business or individual can purchase cylinders in any quantity at the point of sale, with no government control in normal times. In a supply-constrained environment where public anxiety is elevated, this deregulated structure creates a direct and uncontrolled pathway for hoarding, diversion, and resale at inflated prices. Had commercial supply been left entirely unrestricted, cylinders purchased over the counter could have been diverted to the grey market at the expense of genuine commercial consumers and domestic households alike. The government has therefore taken the responsible course: to regulate this channel with clear priorities and a transparent allocation mechanism. A three-member committee comprising Executive Directors from IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL was constituted on 9 March 2026. Extensive meetings have been held with state civil supply departments and restaurant associations across the country and are continuing. The committee has assessed genuine need by geography and sector to ensure available commercial volume reaches genuine users first. In a major decision, 20% of the average monthly Commercial LPG requirement will be allocated from today by OMCs, in coordination with the State Governments so that there is no hoarding or black marketing.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

9. Alternate fuel options are being activated to ease pressure on LPG and gas channels. Kerosene is being made available through retail outlets and PDS channels, and fuel oil is being made available for industrial and commercial consumers. The MoEFCC has advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit, for the duration of this crisis period, the use of biomass, RDF pellets, and Kerosene/coal as alternate fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for 1 month, which would enable a wider range of establishments to switch and free up LPG for priority consumers.

10. Consumer prices have been shielded from global market conditions. Despite the Saudi Contract Price rising 41 per cent between July 2023 and March 2026, the PMUY beneficiary price has fallen 32 per cent in the same period and stands at Rs 613 per 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi. The non-subsidised consumer price stands at Rs 913 following the recent Rs 60 adjustment, against a market-determined price of approximately Rs 987. Of the Rs 134 per cylinder adjustment required by prevailing global market conditions, the government absorbed Rs 74. The effective additional cost for a PMUY household is under 80 paise per day. Equivalent LPG prices in the neighbourhood stand at Rs 1,046 in Pakistan, Rs 1,242 in Sri Lanka, and Rs 1,208 in Nepal. OMC compensation of Rs 30,000 crore has been approved against losses of approximately Rs 40,000 crore in 2024-25.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

11. State governments have responded with full cooperation and active coordination. On 11 March 2026, senior OMC officials met with state administrations across every major state: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Chief Secretaries and senior officials have been briefed on the supply position, the priority sequence, and the enforcement framework. District-level monitoring committees are being established. Anti-diversion raids have been conducted and cases registered in multiple states. This is cooperative federalism responding to a national challenge with the coordination it demands.

New Delhi: Technological improvement in Indian Railways (IR) is a continuous process. Some major technologies deployed/piloted over IR are as follows:

• Machine Vision Inspection System (MVIS): MVIS is an Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) based system which generates alerts on detecting any hanging, loose or missing components of moving trains. Three (03) MVIS have been installed in Northeast Frontier Railway, two (02) in Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) and one (01) in South East Central Railway on pilot basis for freight stock. Further, a MoU has been signed between IR and DFCCIL to induct four (04) MVIS over IR network for freight stock. Also, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) has taken up development of MVIS for rolling stock in collaboration with industry through an Expression of Interest (EoI).
• Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD): WILD is a way-side inspection system that measures the impact of wheel on track to identify the defective wheel in Rolling Stock. 24 such systems are installed over IR.
• Online Monitoring of Rolling Stock (OMRS): OMRS is a way-side inspection system which monitors the health of bearing & wheel of Rolling Stock. 25 such systems are installed over IR out of which one (01) OMRS is installed at Sirpur Kaghaz nagar /Secunderabad Division in South Central Railway.
• Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS): ITMS are deployed for comprehensive inspection and monitoring of Railway tracks. The ITMS utilizes machine learning and image processing to monitor and detect defects in railway track components such as rails, sleepers, and fastenings. The data from ITMS is analysed for urgent and planned maintenance of track. Presently three (03) ITMS are deployed for track recording and monitoring of IR track. It helps in better track maintenance planning, enhanced safety, improved reliability of track assets and operational efficiency.
• Drone based monitoring of Overhead Equipment: Drone based monitoring with thermal imaging of Overhead Equipment (OHE) has been taken up in Raipur division on pilot basis. Further, IR in association with IIT Madras, has taken up development of a Drone based aerial inspection of Overhead Equipment (OHE) which will also analyse the captured data using AI/ML.
• TRI-Netra: RDSO has taken up development of TRI-Netra (Terrain Imaging for Locomotive Drivers – Infra-Red, Enhanced Optical & Ranging Device Assisted) for assisting the Loco pilots during foggy, rainy and inclement weather. This system comprises of optical cameras, infra-red camera and ranging devices (e.g. Radar/Lidar) & Al to create a real-time, enhanced vision system for assisting Loco pilots.

Rail Tech Policy: Further, to support the development of cost-effective, implementable and scalable solutions, including those based on AI and data-driven technologies, a new policy called the Rail Tech Policy has been adopted on 26.02.2026 by IR and a portal (https://railtech.indianrailways.gov.in) has been launched to facilitate participation of innovators and startups.

The proposed Rail Tech Policy incorporates the following key features:

• Single-stage detailed submission of proposals by the Innovator.
• Provision for submission of proposals for self-initiated challenges by the Innovator on the Rail Tech Portal.
• Provision for funding on 50:50 cost-sharing basis between Indian Railways and the Innovator, with the maximum grant  for prototype development and trials.
• Grant offered for extended trials or scale-up

The above proposed Policy will facilitate early adoption of new technologies in Indian Railways.

New Delhi: Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, highlighted the growing global momentum behind solar energy and the role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in accelerating the clean energy transition across the world. Addressing the ISA Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on 11th March, the Minister said that the Alliance reflects the power of shared vision and global partnership in advancing sustainable development through solar energy.

ISA Expands as a Coalition of Over 120 Countries

Shri Joshi noted that nearly a decade ago, India and France came together with a bold vision to place the power of the sun at the centre of global development. He said that the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, helped transform this idea into a global movement.

Spotlighting the impact ISA has created through its interventions, Shri Joshi noted, “Over the past decade, the International Solar Alliance has helped turn the promise of solar energy into real, life-changing impact across the world. By advancing solar deployment where it matters most, ISA has played a catalytic role in shifting the global energy transition toward emerging and developing economies, bringing clean, reliable power to communities that need it most.

Through targeted interventions, ISA is improving lives every day: ensuring uninterrupted healthcare by solarising health centres, empowering farmers with solar-powered irrigation and cold storage, strengthening food security, and bringing clean electricity to schools and public institutions. Support for startups, young professionals, and innovation ecosystems is creating new opportunities, jobs, and leadership for the future of clean energy.

As global solar capacity accelerates and clean energy investment reaches historic highs, ISA’s work stands as proof that the energy transition can be inclusive, people-centred and transformative. On the anniversary of ISA’s Foundation Day, India, the President of the ISA Assembly, celebrates not only the scale of progress achieved, but the millions of lives uplifted and reaffirms our commitment to expanding access, resilience and opportunity through the power of the sun.”

The Minister said that the creation of ISA is rooted in the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,  the belief that the world is one family, and reflects the spirit of nations working together to ensure that the benefits of clean energy are shared equitably.

Highlighting the growth of the Alliance, Shri Joshi said that what began as a powerful vision has today grown into a coalition of more than 120 countries working collectively to accelerate the global solar transition.

India’s Solar Growth Demonstrates Impact of Strong Policy Commitment

Referring to India’s own progress, the Minister said that the country’s installed solar capacity has reached nearly 136 gigawatts, accounting for almost half of India’s renewable energy capacity. He noted that this growth demonstrates what sustained policy commitment and innovation can achieve.

The Minister further highlighted flagship initiatives that are enabling the benefits of solar energy to reach people directly. Programmes such as PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana are enabling millions of households to generate their own clean electricity, while PM-KUSUM is empowering farmers through solar-powered irrigation systems.

Global Solar Deployment Accelerating Rapidly

Shri Joshi also pointed to the remarkable global momentum behind solar energy. He observed that while it took nearly twenty-five years for the world to install the first 1,000 gigawatts of solar capacity, the next 1,000 gigawatts is expected to be achieved much faster, signalling a new era in the global energy transition.

The Minister emphasised that the centre of gravity of the clean energy transition is increasingly shifting to the Global South, where rising energy demand and abundant solar resources present an unprecedented opportunity to leapfrog traditional energy pathways.

In this context, he said the International Solar Alliance has emerged as a unique platform bringing together governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to expand solar deployment and unlock new opportunities for sustainable development.

Through initiatives such as decentralised renewable energy systems, solar irrigation and innovative financing platforms including the Global Solar Facility, ISA is helping countries deploy solar solutions that improve energy access, strengthen livelihoods and support sustainable growth, he added.

AI and Digital Technologies to Shape Future Energy Systems

Shri Joshi further noted that the energy transition is entering a new phase where digital technologies and artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role. He highlighted ISA’s leadership in advancing the Global Mission on AI for Energy, which aims to harness innovation to build smarter and more resilient energy systems.

Concluding his address, the Minister reaffirmed the collective commitment of ISA member countries to advancing the global solar transition. He said that the solar transition is ultimately about more than energy,  it is about creating opportunities for development, resilience and prosperity across the world.

Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in his address highlighted, “Solar energy has truly emerged as one of the most valuable public goods of our time, an abundant, benevolent force that nations are increasingly harnessing for the collective welfare of their people. In India, this understanding has translated into decisive action. Guided by the vision to achieve 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, we have built a strong policy and implementation framework that has accelerated deployment, strengthened domestic manufacturing, and empowered citizens to participate directly in the energy transition.”

Shri Sarangi said India is committed to sharing its experience with the world. He added that through platforms such as the International Solar Alliance, and initiatives like the Africa Solar Facility, we are working to extend the benefits of solar energy beyond our borders, learning from our partners while contributing to a cleaner, greener and more resilient future for generations to come.

The Director General of the International Solar Alliance, Shri Ashish Khanna, noted, “On the Foundation Day of the International Solar Alliance, I express my heartfelt gratitude to our Member Countries, partner institutions and colleagues who have shaped and strengthened this Alliance. The Alliance today has grown into a global coalition of 125 Member and Signatory countries united by the belief that the world’s most abundant energy source must also be its most democratic.”

Shri Khanna said “Our Members across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and the Others are the true custodians of ISA’s progress. Their trust, leadership and ambition define every milestone we achieve. I am equally grateful to our 77 partner organisations and to the growing community of young solar professionals trained at IIT Delhi, who carry this mission forward each day.”

He added ISA will continue to work with humility and purpose, supporting our Member Countries to translate this momentum into tangible outcomes: expanded energy access, stronger livelihoods, and shared prosperity. Together, we will continue to turn sunlight into opportunity, resilience and progress for all.

The occasion also marked the announcement of the ISA’s Green Hydrogen and Storage Start-up Challenge 2026, to identify and support innovative startups working at the forefront of green hydrogen and energy storage solutions. The Challenge will offer selected startups structured acceleration and mentoring support, as well as access to ISA’s Member Country markets to enable technology transfer and scale-up. The initiative aims to build a strong global ecosystem that accelerates the deployment of green hydrogen and storage technologies worldwide.

Alongside this, the International Solar Alliance also launched a new, enhanced website designed to meet the growing needs of its Member Countries and partners. The upgraded platform strengthens access to knowledge, programmes and opportunities, improves stakeholder engagement, and reflects ISA’s expanding portfolio and global ambitions, serving as a more dynamic, user-centric gateway to the Alliance’s work and impact.

About the International Solar Alliance

The global solar revolution is gaining unprecedented momentum. This acceleration reflects the growing centrality of solar energy in the global transition toward cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) plays an important role in this transformation by mobilising partnerships among governments, development institutions, industry, and investors to scale up solar deployment across the world.

The Alliance was jointly launched by India and France during the COP21 climate conference in Paris in 2015 under the leadership of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The initiative was founded on the vision that countries endowed with abundant solar resources could work together to harness the power of the sun to advance sustainable development and energy access.

Over the years, the Alliance has evolved into a major platform for international cooperation on solar energy. Today, with more than 120 Member Countries, the International Solar Alliance represents one of the most significant global partnerships dedicated to expanding solar energy deployment.

ISA places particular emphasis on supporting countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Small Island Developing States, where solar energy can play a transformative role in expanding energy access, strengthening livelihoods, and enhancing resilience.

ISA’s evolving vision is anchored on four strategic pillars: (1) Catalytic Finance Hub to unlock and mobilise investments at scale; (2) Global Capability Centre and Digitisation to foster innovation, digital platforms, and capacity building across Member Countries; (3) Regional and Country-level Engagement to drive tailored interventions through strategic partnerships and (4) Technology Roadmap and Policy to accelerate the deployment of emerging solar technologies through actionable policy frameworks and knowledge resources. As a treaty-based intergovernmental platform, ISA provides technical guidance, policy leadership, and global coordination to support its Member Countries in scaling solar energy.