India withdraws commercial LPG supply restrictions

India has ‌restored non-domestic packed ​LPG ​supplies to pre-Iran ⁠crisis ​levels, the ​government said in a ​statement ​on Thursday, adding ‌that ⁠sectoral restrictions on such ​supplies ​have ⁠been withdrawn.Before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and ‌the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, India depended on Middle Eastern producers for 90% of its LPG imports, which totalled about 2 million tons ​per month. Imports of LPG, widely used as cooking fuel in Indian households, declined to as low as 696,000 tons in April because of the strait blockade, government data showed. The imports, however, recovered to 1.15 million tons in May, the data showed. Before the disruption, New Delhi had planned to raise U.S. LPG purchases to about 10% of total imports as part of its effort ‌to rebalance trade with Washington. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will now supply non-domestic packed LPG at normal levels as seen before the war.
The Centre still wants more people and businesses to use piped natural gas (PNG), which is a cleaner fuel. Those who have already switched to PNG will continue using it. Others who can access PNG will slowly be moved to it with help from gas distribution companies. The ministry has also asked all states and union territories to help implement these changes smoothly. Officials said this step is meant to make energy supply more secure, keep fuel available for industries, and increase the use of cleaner energy across the country.