5.72 Lakh Indians Return Home, 485 Seafarers Stranded in Gulf, 3,000+ Raids to Curb LPG Hoarding
The Indian government has now said it has moved to stabilise critical sectors and protect citizens as the West Asia war disrupts energy flows and global supply chains. Government officials detailed a sweeping set of emergency measures spanning fuel availability, shipping security and large-scale evacuations.
According to a government communique, all refineries are operating at high capacity with “adequate crude inventories” while petrol pumps across the country remain fully functional, even as authorities acknowledged “abnormal increase in crude prices” and instances of panic buying driven by rumours.
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| File Photo Via: @HardeepSPuri on X |
The response also extends to cooking fuel and gas infrastructure, with more than 50 lakh domestic LPG cylinders delivered daily since March 1 and additional allocations raising commercial LPG supply to 70% of pre-crisis levels, alongside targeted support for migrant workers through over 3.2 lakh small-cylinder sales since March 23.
The government said natural gas supplies have been prioritised for transport and households while industrial consumption has been moderated, and a nationwide push to expand piped natural gas connections has been accelerated through policy changes, fast-tracked approvals and an extended National PNG Drive.
Enforcement actions have intensified, with over 3,000 raids conducted to curb hoarding and black marketing, as states were directed to issue daily briefings and counter misinformation to prevent market distortions.
At sea, authorities said Indian maritime operations remain stable despite the crisis, with no recent incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels and port operations continuing without congestion.
However, 18 Indian-flagged ships with 485 seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf, even as the Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the safe return of more than 959 seafarers so far.
A 24x7 control room has handled thousands of distress communications while coordinating with shipowners and missions abroad to monitor evolving risks in the Gulf.
The government also outlined the scale of its evacuation and consular response, stating that more than 5.72 lakh passengers have returned to India since February 28 as airspace disruptions forced rerouting through multiple countries.
Missions across the region are operating “round-the-clock” with 24x7 helplines, assisting Indian nationals with travel, documentation and emergency support while maintaining contact with local authorities.
Travel from conflict zones including Iran, Israel and Iraq is being facilitated through alternative corridors such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Jordan, reflecting the widening geographic impact of the war.
The measures come as the conflict continues to strain energy markets and maritime routes, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining disrupted and global prices elevated, placing sustained pressure on domestic supply chains even as the government moves to contain economic fallout and ensure continuity of essential services.
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