Mumbai, April 6 (NationPress) In light of increasing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affecting global oil supply chains, the Maharashtra government, alongside major Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), has confidently reassured residents about the availability of fuel throughout the state.

Officials from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have stated that there are adequate stocks of petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to satisfy public demand. Supply operations are under constant surveillance to avert any disruptions.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Food and Civil Supply Department, Anil Diggikar, highlighted that despite the international pressures on oil markets, the state's infrastructure is functioning at full capacity to guarantee consistent fuel replenishment. He emphasized that there is no cause for concern, as the government is diligently overseeing the steady supply of fuel in collaboration with OMCs.

Maharashtra is supported by 24 strategic depots—10 operated by Indian Oil Corporation, 8 by Bharat Petroleum, and 6 by Hindustan Petroleum—serving approximately 8,126 petrol stations. Currently, OMCs dispatch around 18,500 kilolitres of petrol and 40,000 kilolitres of diesel each day.

From April 1 to April 4, average sales figures recorded were consistent with those from January to March 2026, with daily averages of 18,605 kilolitres of petrol and 44,484 kilolitres of diesel, as reported by Umesh Kulkarni, a spokesperson for the OMCs present at the press conference.

Chandrakant Dange, the State Rationing Controller, stated that the government has implemented specific regulations concerning LPG and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to ensure equitable distribution during this critical period. Domestic LPG supplies remain stable, with deliveries aligned with customer bookings, supported by approximately 23 bottling plants and over 2,229 distributors catering to around 3.5 crore consumers.

Dange noted that a booking interval restriction is currently enforced to guarantee fair distribution. “Hospitals, educational institutions, and social services are assured 100% supply, while semi-essential industries are being maintained at supply levels ranging from 20% to 70%. A Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) is now mandatory for all registered deliveries,” he added.

To address the supply emergency, the state government issued deemed permissions on March 27, 2026, for pending City Gas Distribution (CGD) pipeline applications. These measures include operational windows of 24 hours for entities and the waiving of certain restoration charges to hasten network expansion.

This initiative will facilitate the prompt establishment of PNG supply infrastructure for residential areas. To prevent exploitation during this crisis, District Collectors were instructed on March 8, 2026, to form vigilance teams.

According to Dange, strict enforcement under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, has resulted in significant seizures. Additionally, the state government has requested authorities to increase LPG supply by 25% to accommodate 5-kilogram cylinders for migrants.