Government Scales Up Fuel Logistics and Seafarer Safety Amid Regional Shifts

The Government of India has intensified its efforts to ensure the seamless availability of Petrol, Diesel, and LPG across the nation. In a recent update, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlighted a significant shift toward digital transparency and consumer accessibility, while the Ministries of Shipping and External Affairs confirmed the safety and repatriation of Indian citizens in the Gulf region. ​LPG Digitalization and Accessibility ​To combat diversion and ensure fuel reaches the right hands, the Ministry informed that Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries have surged from 53% in February 2026 to 90% as of yesterday. ​Key Highlights for Consumers: ​5 Kg FTL Cylinders: Over 90,000 units were sold yesterday. These are available at local distributorships with only a valid ID proof—no address proof required. ​PNG Expansion: Since March 2026, approximately 3.6 lakh PNG connections have been gasified. ​New Registrations: Momentum remains high with over 3.9 lakh new customers registered for connections recently. ​Citizen Advisory: The government strongly advises using digital modes for booking cylinders to minimize physical visits to distributors. ​Maritime Safety and Seafarer Repatriation ​The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways confirmed that all Indian-flagged vessels are secure, with port operations running normally nationwide. ​Efforts to bring citizens home have reached a new milestone: ​1,479 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated to date. ​159 seafarers returned in the last 24 hours alone via Gulf region hubs. ​Diplomatic Updates: Iran and West Asia ​The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) continues to monitor the evolving situation in West Asia. Yesterday marked a major relief for the fishing community as 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran successfully returned home. ​The MEA also noted that regional air travel is stabilizing. Since February 28, roughly 7.02 lakh passengers have traveled from the Gulf region back to India, signaling a steady improvement in flight availability.