LPG Refill Waiting Period Extended to 25 Days to Curb Hoarding; Petrol, Diesel Prices Stable Unless Crude Crosses $130

The government has raised the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill from 21 to 25 days, a measure aimed at preventing hoarding and ensuring equitable distribution of cooking gas across the country amid the supply anxieties triggered by the West Asia conflict, government sources told PTI on Monday.

The four-day extension in the refill booking window is a direct response to concerns that consumers may be stockpiling cylinders in anticipation of a gas shortage — a behaviour that, if unchecked, could create artificial scarcity even where supply remains adequate. The move is designed to ensure that cooking gas reaches all households equitably rather than being concentrated with those who book early or in excess.

On the critical question of petrol and diesel pricing, government sources provided a specific and reassuring marker. Retail prices are expected to remain stable unless global crude oil prices breach the $130 per barrel level. With current projections suggesting crude may stabilise around $100 per barrel — despite the recent spike to $117 — the government appears confident that a further retail price revision can be avoided in the near term. "There is no shortage of petrol and diesel at any pump in the country, and the supply situation remains comfortable," sources said.

Officials also moved to address concerns about Aviation Turbine Fuel availability, confirming that ATF stocks are adequate and underlining a strategic advantage that is often overlooked. "India is also a producer and exporter of ATF, so there is no need to panic about aviation fuel supplies," sources added — a pointed reassurance for airlines already navigating disrupted Gulf routes.

In a broader signal of confidence, officials noted that India has accelerated crude oil sourcing through routes outside the Strait of Hormuz to mitigate disruption risks — and that several other nations have reached out to New Delhi specifically to understand its stock position and supply preparedness. The government's message was clear: India is better placed than most to weather the current energy storm.