Gandhinagar, March 12: The Gujarat government has established a high-level committee to secure the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This announcement was made by spokesperson minister Jitu Vaghani on Wednesday.
The committee, chaired by Chief Secretary M.K. Das, will monitor the availability of LNG and coordinate with central authorities to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply to households. Vaghani stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the panel will continuously review the situation to maintain adequate supply.
He assured that there would be no impact on domestic LPG cylinders and added that the government has sufficient stocks of LPG, CNG, petrol, and diesel. He urged the public not to be influenced by rumors.
Vaghani mentioned that industries are expected to receive approximately 80 percent of their normal gas supply. The government’s goal is to avoid price hikes and prevent any inconvenience to consumers.
The minister also warned against black marketing and stated that strict action would be taken against illegal hoarders. He noted that if necessary, both the central and state governments would ensure the availability of gas and fuel, even at higher costs.
State Energy and Petrochemicals Minister Rishikesh Patel highlighted that ongoing conflicts in regions like Iran and Israel have temporarily disrupted gas shipments through key routes, leading to supply challenges. He assured that alternative arrangements have been made to maintain supply.
The energy markets in India have experienced fluctuations, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global chokepoint. Both state and central officials emphasized that wherever possible, priority is being given to domestic use of piped natural gas (PNG), CNG, and LPG over industrial use.
The Gujarat committee will ensure that as alternative cargo and other energy sources become available, the supply to households remains stable.