India’s government launched a nationwide enforcement drive on March 16, 2026, conducting nearly 12,000 raids and seizing about 15,000 LPG cylinders to curb hoarding and black marketing triggered by West Asia tensions.
Key State Actions
Delhi seized 600 cylinders; Uttar Pradesh ran 450 inspections with 10 arrests; Kerala over 1,000 raids on domestic/commercial units; Madhya Pradesh 1,200 raids yielding 1,800 cylinders; Jammu & Kashmir 564 raids with FIRs/arrests.
Supply Assurance
Petrol/diesel stocks sufficient; LPG production up 38%; carriers like Nanda Devi (Kandla) and Shivalik (Mundra) docked for distribution. Officials urge commercial switch to piped natural gas, discourage panic buying.
Background Context
Middle East conflict disrupts supplies; India diversifies sourcing including from US. 2,500 petrol pumps/distributorships surprise-checked; no shortages reported.
