Suresh Gopi Assures Action to Resolve LPG Supply Crisis

Thrissur (Kerala), Mar 12: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Thursday said the Centre is making sustained efforts to stabilise the LPG crisis in India, while exploring new avenues to secure additional fuel supplies.

Addressing reporters in Thrissur, Gopi said discussions on the issue had already taken place in Parliament, where Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri responded to questions regarding the ongoing shortage. He noted that certain details related to supply routes could not be disclosed due to diplomatic sensitivities.

The minister pointed to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas shipments pass. Rising tensions in West Asia have heightened concerns about disruptions in the passage, which could affect energy supplies and global trade.

Gopi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged with several countries regarding the situation and sought exemptions to ensure uninterrupted supplies for India. According to him, diplomatic efforts are gradually opening opportunities for additional LPG procurement.

The government has prioritised essential services such as hospitals and crematoriums while managing the supply crunch. He also acknowledged that restaurants and other establishments have been impacted but said authorities are working to resolve the shortages and restore normal operations.

Emphasising that the crisis is linked to global developments, Gopi said India cannot resort to conflict over the issue and reiterated that most people, including himself, oppose war. He urged citizens to exercise patience and restraint during the difficult period, noting that similar cooperation had helped the country navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.