Taking steps to ensure adequate LPG supply for Char Dham Yatra, says govt
This story was originally published at 18:40 IST on 22 April 2026
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NEW DELHI – The petroleum ministry Wednesday said that it was taking "measures" to ensure sufficient supply of liquefied petroleum gas for the Char Dham Yatra, an annual pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. The statement came in response to a query regarding media reports of LPG shortage being faced by hotels and eateries along the route.
"Since we are ensuring 100% supply to domestic consumers, we have to cut from the commercial part, which is now intact at 70%," Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum ministry, said at an inter-ministerial press briefing on the West Asia crisis. "We are aware of the Char Dham Yatra and taking all corrective measures there also," she added.
The Char Dham Yatra, which commenced on Apr. 19 this year, is a major annual Hindu pilgrimage undertaken in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. With around 3.3 million pilgrims having undertaken the Yatra in 2025, it is a key drive of the hill state's economy.
Sharma said that there is a "further scope" to increase domestic LPG production once the Vadinar refinery of Nayara Energy becomes operational. The 400,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Gujarat is scheduled for a 35-day maintenance shutdown since Apr. 9. On Monday, the domestic LPG production stood at 46,500 tonne.
She said that the government was already in discussion with stakeholders about the E-100 fuel, which is typically 93–95% ethanol with small amount of petrol, to reduce dependence on oil imports. The joint secretary reiterated that there are sufficient stocks of oil and gas, and that consumers should avoid panic buying.
Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, refuted reports that Indian Sanmar Herald was involved in any cryptocurrency fraud in the Persian Gulf. Media reports citing Greek maritime risk firm MARISKS have said that unknown fraudsters, posing as Iranian authorities, targeted ships stranded in the Persian Gulf, demanding payment in cryptocurrency to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It said Sanmar Herald was one of the vessels that paid the fraudulent fee and attempted to pass, when it was fired upon by Iranian forces on Apr. 18.
"These reports regarding Sanmar Herald are incorrect," Mangal said. He said 13 Indian-flagged and one India-owned ship were still stranded in the Persian Gulf, but their crews are safe. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government was in touch with Iranian authorities for the safe passage of these vessels. End
Reported by Asim Khan
Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury
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