Fuel Crisis

The consumer affairs ministry has amended legal metrology rules to allow government-approved testing centres to verify hydrogen, LPG, LNG and CNG fuel dispensers, expanding the country's measurement oversight framework as cleaner fuel adoption grows. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, bringing the total number of instrument categories verifiable through Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to 23 from 18. Verification fees for petrol and diesel dispensers have been set at Rs 5,000 per nozzle, while CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers will attract a higher fee of Rs 10,000 per nozzle. "The move is expected to enhance the availability of verification services, improve efficiency and support the growing adoption of cleaner fuels across the country," the ministry said in a statement. GATCs are approved private facilities with the technical expertise to carry out verification and

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation's largest oil firm, on Saturday said there was no overall shortage of petrol and diesel in the country and described fuel outages reported at some retail outlets as "highly localised" and temporary, caused by regional demand-supply mismatches and shifting sales patterns. The state-owned fuel retailer said higher demand at certain outlets was driven by a seasonal rise in diesel consumption during the harvesting season, migration of customers from private pumps where retail prices were relatively higher, and increased institutional purchases at public sector outlets as bulk fuel supplies were being priced in line with elevated international rates. The company said petrol sales during May 1-22 rose 14 per cent year-on-year, while diesel sales increased around 18 per cent, reflecting "sustained and exceptionally high" growth in demand that it continued to meet across the country. In a statement, IOC said it "wishes to reassure customers and the .

With plans to run 24 additional train trips every Monday, deploy extra security personnel, expand ticketing facilities and strengthen last-mile connectivity services, the DMRC announced a series of measures aimed at encouraging more people to shift from private vehicles to public transport across Delhi-NCR. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday said it will introduce 24 additional train trips with the deployment of six extra trains every Monday from May 18, while similar arrangements may also be made on other days depending on passenger demand. The move comes as part of efforts to strengthen mass transit systems and improve urban mobility amid growing emphasis on energy security, environmental sustainability and reduced dependence on petroleum-based transport. According to the corporation, the additional services are aimed at handling a possible increase in passenger footfall and ensuring smooth and uninterrupted operations during peak travel periods. It said passenger

As India battles soaring energy import costs and a weakening rupee amid global oil turmoil, a Monaco-based fuel technology company says it may have found an answer hiding in plain sight: water. FOWE Eco Solutions, through its patented Cavitech fuel emulsion technology, claims industries can slash fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent, reduce harmful emissions dramatically, and improve equipment performance - all without modifying engines or shutting plants down. The pitch comes at a critical time for India. The country imports nearly 88 per cent of its crude oil needs, while state-run oil firms are reportedly bleeding Rs 1,000 crore a day to shield consumers from global price shocks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also publicly urged industries to conserve fuel as a national economic priority. Now, FOWE says its technology can do exactly that. At the heart of the system is a fuel-oil-water emulsion created using Controlled Cavitation Technology (CCT), which disperses microscopic

Opposition parties slammed the Centre over the fuel price hike, warning of rising inflation and economic distress amid surging global crude oil prices

This comes days after PM Modi called for reducing fuel consumption

One of the LPG carriers, Symi, emerged in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday after turning off its transponder, with the other - NV Sunshine, went dark just after making it through the strait

Only a single large oil tanker, the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, has delivered crude oil to Cuba since December, providing temporary relief to the island in April

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens and businesses to adopt work-from-home and virtual meetings wherever possible to reduce fuel consumption amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The mo

A government official said India had sufficient crude inventories and that refinery operations were continuing without disruption

Asia's first defences against energy shocks from the Iran war are running short and a more consequential second wave of impacts is beginning to hit. When the war started, governments scrambled to adapt to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for energy flowing to Asia. They made difficult trade-offs: saving power at the risk of slowing businesses, prioritising gas for households at the risk of fertiliser production and dipping into energy stockpiles for temporary relief. But these measures were based on the war lasting only a short time, allowing a quick resumption of energy flows. That has not happened. With no clear end in sight, the fuel crisis is now rippling across economies. Airfare costs, shipping rates and utility bills are climbing, jeopardizing economic growth. About 8.8 million people are in danger of being pushed into poverty and the conflict may cause USD 299 billion in economic losses to the Asia-Pacific region, according to the United Nations ...

PM said that patriotism is not only about sacrificing one's life for the nation, but also about living responsibly and fulfilling duties towards the country during difficult times

India has raised local output by over a fifth since strikes on Iran began in February, to about 46,000 tons a day

The Iran war's global energy shock is causing some nations in Africa and Asia to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. Asia, where most of the Middle Eastern oil and natural gas was headed, was hit first and hardest by disruptions to shipping routes carrying those fuels - swiftly followed by Africa. The US and Europe are also feeling the pinch as the conflict drives up energy costs. African and Asian nations with nuclear plants are increasing their output as they scramble for short-term energy supplies, while non-nuclear countries are accelerating long-term nuclear plans to safeguard against future fossil fuel shocks. Nuclear power isn't a quick fix for the current energy crisis. Developing atomic energy can take decades, especially for nuclear newcomers. But long-term commitments to nuclear power made now will likely lock it in to countries' future energy mixes, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign

Although the government is sticking to its forecasts of 6.8 per cent-7.2 per cent for the fiscal year through March 2027, several economists have already started to downgrade their projections

The Government of India convened a briefing at the National Media Centre on Monday. Officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and External Affairs provided updates on fuel availability, maritime operations, assistance to Indian nationals in the region, and measures being undertaken to maintain stability across key sectors. The Ministry of Heavy Industries also shared updates regarding the heavy industries sector.Enforcement actions continue across the country to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG. More than 2250 raids were conducted across the country. Till Sunday, more than 1.28 lakh raids have been conducted, over 59,000 cylinders have been seized, more than 1000 FIRs have been registered, and 238 persons have been arrested.According to a press release, in this context, meetings were convened on 2 April 2026 (Chaired by Secretary, MoPNG) and on 6 April 2026 (Chaired by Secretary, MoPNG along with Secretaries of I & B and ...

Governments across the region are scrambling for alternative oil and gas, cutting energy use with warmer AC settings and rolling out measures to cushion the impact on consumers and businesses

The total value of the seized canisters and some vehicles used by ‌the accused was nearly ₹22 lakh, police said

Pakistan has announced an unprecedented increase of 43 per cent and 55 per cent in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively, in response to spiking global oil prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran. The government made the announcement on Thursday. The price of petrol has been increased by Rs 137.23 per litre (42.7 per cent) to Rs 458.41 from Rs 321.17, while HSD by Rs 184.49 per litre (55 per cent) to Rs 520.35 from Rs 335.86, with immediate effect. The price of kerosene was also increased by Rs 34.08 per litre to Rs 457.80. The government also adjusted the petroleum levy rates to limit the increase in diesel prices as the levy on petrol was increased to Rs 160 per litre from Rs 105, while it was reduced to zero on diesel from Rs 55. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik while making the announcement, which he termed as a "difficult decision", said that the objective was to restrict subsidies to the most deserving segments while maintaining fiscal discipline an

In March, India added 580,000 new households to its piped gas network, up from 342,300 a year earlier