India Deploys 17,744 Crore Rural Shield, 100% Fuel Supply and Evacuates 2,563+ Seafarers Amid West Asia Crisis
India has activated a coordinated, multi-ministerial response to manage the domestic and overseas impact of escalating tensions in West Asia, with authorities outlining measures to secure energy supplies, safeguard Indian nationals and maintain continuity of key economic and rural welfare programmes.
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| Representational Image/File Photo Via: Indian Navy |
The government said fuel supply across the country remains stable despite geopolitical pressures, with 100% supply being maintained for domestic LPG, PNG and CNG. Online LPG bookings have reached 99%, while delivery authentication compliance has risen to around 92% to prevent diversion. Public sector oil companies have conducted over 7,000 awareness camps since April 3, selling more than 100,000 small cylinders, with total 5-kg LPG sales crossing 18.45 lakh units since late March.
Commercial LPG supply has been restored to about 70% of pre-crisis levels, with priority allocation to essential sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture. Over the past five days, average commercial LPG sales have exceeded 7,000 metric tonnes per day, while auto LPG consumption has doubled compared to February levels.
To cushion domestic consumers from global price spikes, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre, while increasing export levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel to ensure domestic availability. Refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and domestic LPG production has been increased.
On the maritime front, authorities confirmed that Indian-flagged tanker Desh Garima, carrying over 97,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to reach Mumbai on April 22. Two other vessels reported firing incidents in the region but returned safely with no injuries reported. The government said more than 2,563 Indian seafarers have been repatriated from the Gulf so far, with their safety described as a “top priority.”
The Directorate General of Shipping’s control room has handled nearly 7,000 calls and over 14,600 emails since activation, reflecting sustained distress communication and coordination efforts.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it has intensified diplomatic outreach across the Gulf, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval holding high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia on April 19. Indian missions continue to operate round-the-clock helplines, while evacuation and transit operations remain active. Since late February, around 1.13 million passengers have travelled from the region to India under evolving airspace conditions.
In Iran, more than 2,300 Indian nationals have been moved to Armenia and Azerbaijan for onward evacuation, including over 1,000 students, while additional evacuations continue through multiple regional corridors.
Domestically, the government said it is insulating rural programmes from global shocks. The rural development ministry has released ₹17,744 crore under MGNREGA to ensure uninterrupted wage payments, while maintaining full employment guarantees. Housing construction under PMAY-G, targeting 4.95 crore homes by 2029, is being safeguarded through advance planning, direct benefit transfers and material supply buffers.
Infrastructure programmes such as rural roads under PMGSY and watershed development covering 50 lakh hectares are also being protected through cost recalibration and inter-ministerial coordination.
Authorities said enforcement actions have been intensified to curb hoarding and black marketing, with more than 1,900 raids conducted nationwide on April 19 alone, alongside penalties and suspensions imposed on LPG distributors.
The government emphasised that there is no shortage of fuel or essential commodities and urged citizens to avoid panic buying, rely on official information and adopt energy conservation measures as the situation continues to evolve.
The briefing underscored India’s effort to balance domestic economic stability with overseas crisis management amid one of the most significant disruptions in West Asia in recent years.