New Delhi, Mar 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday criticised those spreading panic over LPG supply, saying such actions not only expose their intentions but also harm the nation during a challenging global situation.
Speaking at the NXT Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the ongoing conflict in West Asia has affected countries worldwide, but India is taking continuous steps to secure its energy supplies and protect citizens from global disruptions.
The prime minister also warned against attempts to exploit the situation through black marketing. He urged state governments to increase monitoring and take strict action against hoarders and traders trying to manipulate supply.
“There is unnecessary panic being created about LPG. Those spreading alarm are not only revealing their intentions before the public but are also hurting the country,” Modi said, adding that authorities are actively working to address supply-chain challenges.
Modi said he has held discussions with several world leaders in recent days regarding the developments in West Asia and their potential impact on energy markets. He stressed that India is making every effort to ensure that farmers and citizens do not bear the burden of global instability.
Highlighting the broader global context, Modi said recent years have shown how rapidly circumstances can change, citing events such as the COVID-19 and the Russia–Ukraine War. The current escalation in West Asia, he said, has triggered a significant energy crisis worldwide.
The prime minister added that India has taken several steps in the last decade to strengthen energy security, including expanding ethanol blending in petrol to around 20 per cent and increasing strategic petroleum reserves to over 50 lakh tonnes.
He also noted that LPG access has expanded significantly, with connections rising from 14 crore before 2014 to 33 crore today, along with a doubling of LPG bottling capacity and a sharp increase in distribution centres.
Modi said India has also expanded its gas pipeline network from around 3,500 kilometres in 2014 to more than 10,000 kilometres and doubled the number of LNG terminals, improving the country’s ability to manage energy demands during crises.
Expressing confidence in the people of India, he said the nation would overcome the current challenge just as it did during the pandemic, adding that the government’s priority remains ensuring that citizens do not face hardships due to global conflicts.