Strait of Hormuz highlights: Rahul Gandhi warns of ‘repercussions’ amid Hormuz closure

Strait of Hormuz LIVE updates: Energy minister Hardeep Puri gave ‘full’ assurance on Thursday that there is ‘no shortage of fuel’ in India amid mounting concerns due to Strait of Hormuz closure. Addressing the Lok Sabha, Puri said, "There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation and fuel oil is fully assured."

Emphasising that what the world is going through currently is something it has not faced in history, Puri said that India has to “navigate the consequences” of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, even though it has no role in it.

Strait of Hormuz LIVE updates: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz, the central artery from where 20 pc of global oil flows, is closed and that it will have “tremendous repercussions”.

India's external balance and government finances could be hit if oil prices stay high for an extended period, economists have said, as the Iran war pushes up oil import costs and the subsidies needed to keep key commodities affordable.

India is considered to be among the most vulnerable to a global oil shock as it imports nearly 90% of its crude requirements and about 50% of its gas requirements. Over half of its crude is from the Middle East, where export flows have been disrupted by the US-Israeli war on Iran, and India's current oil stocks are only enough to cover 20 to 25 days.

Gas supply shortages have already begun hitting industries and consumers, and Iran has threatened a protracted conflict and $200 per barrel for oil.

If oil prices average $100 a barrel for close to 12 months, the South Asian nation could also see growth fall sharply and inflation rise. Read more.

Strait of Hormuz LIVE updates: A crude oil tanker bound for India slipped through the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz after briefly going “dark” to avoid detection, becoming the first India-destined vessel to safely navigate the strategic waterway since fighting erupted between the United States, Israel and Iran late last month.

The Liberia-flagged Shenlong Suezmax oil tanker, carrying Saudi crude and captained by an Indian, berthed at the Mumbai Port on Wednesday evening after crossing the volatile waterway where maritime traffic has largely stalled due to attacks and military activity.

The tanker had loaded crude at Ras Tanura Port in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and sailed two days later. Maritime tracking data showed its last signal inside the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it disappeared from monitoring systems - suggesting the crew had switched off the vessel’s automatic identification system (AIS) while navigating the dangerous stretch. Read more.

Strait of Hormuz LIVE updates: A crude oil tanker bound for India slipped through the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz after briefly going “dark” to avoid detection, becoming the first India-destined vessel to safely navigate the strategic waterway since fighting erupted between the United States, Israel and Iran late last month.

The Liberia-flagged Shenlong Suezmax oil tanker, carrying Saudi crude and captained by an Indian, berthed at the Mumbai Port on Wednesday evening after crossing the volatile waterway where maritime traffic has largely stalled due to attacks and military activity.

The tanker had loaded crude at Ras Tanura Port in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and sailed two days later. Maritime tracking data showed its last signal inside the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it disappeared from monitoring systems - suggesting the crew had switched off the vessel’s automatic identification system (AIS) while navigating the dangerous stretch. Read more.

Strait of Hormuz LIVE updates: US Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy on Wednesday called war with Iran “insanity” and claimed that United States President Donald Trump went into the war “with no plan to keep Strait of Hormuz” open.

“But it is gross incompetence Trump went to war with Iran with no plan to keep open the Strait of Hormuz,” Murphy said.

“Now Iran is laying mines, global oil shipping is paralyzed, gas prices are skyrocketing and food prices are close behind,” he added.

LPG Shortage Live: Petrol pumps in and around Puducherry have seen a sudden surge in customers, with two-wheeler riders and car owners rushing to refuel amid rumours of a fuel shortage.

A petrol dealer said the panic was sparked by speculation linked to the West Asia conflict, but assured that there was no shortage of petrol or diesel, PTI reported.

The dealer added that supplies remain adequate and fuel tankers are arriving as usual, urging vehicle owners not to fall for baseless rumours.

LPG Shortage Live: “Normally there is a procedure where you can ask to speak. I had asked to be allowed to make a statement about the situation in the country regarding LPG, gas and oil. This is just the beginning and I wanted to speak about it, but a new procedure seems to have started, a minister will decide first, then I will speak, and then the minister will reply," he said.

“So let’s see what happens. The basic issue is that gas is going to be a problem, petrol is going to be a problem, all fuel is going to be a problem because our energy security has been compromised. A flawed foreign policy has created this problem. Now what needs to be done is preparation”.

"The government and the PM should start preparing immediately because if preparations are not made, crores of people could suffer.”

LPG Shortage Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding rallies in Kerala and Tamil Nadu while reports of a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders persist.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Raut accused the Centre of ignoring the issue and urged the government to address the situation.

He also called for a discussion on how the ongoing West Asia conflict could impact India’s energy security.

LPG Shortage Live: "Such issues should be discussed in Parliament. The government should be informed. You know how long the lines are for LPG cylinders... Some restaurants have said that they don't have the gas to cook food, they can provide tea, but not the 'dosa'. Is this the situation in the country now? You know that prices have been increased. This is a platform to present all this to the public. All we want is a discussion and the government to provide assurances to the public. It cannot be that they simply run the government according to their own will," said Shashi Tharoor.

LPG Shortage Live: Members of the Karnataka State Hotel Association have urged the government to resume commercial LPG cylinder supplies in Bengaluru, warning that the disruption could affect the public and cause heavy losses to eateries and restaurants.

A delegation met Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Wednesday amid reports of a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders and requested that part of the supply be reallocated for commercial use so kitchens across the city can continue operating smoothly.

LPG Shortage Live: Shares of Indian food delivery companies declined after restaurants warned of operational disruptions due to a cooking gas shortage triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Eternal fell as much as 4.8%, while Swiggy Ltd dropped by a similar margin to a record low. Shares of fast-food operators, including Jubilant Foodworks Ltd, also retreated.

Food delivery platforms could see slower orders as restaurants consider shorter operating hours and trimmed menus to cope with the gas shortage, with India sourcing much of its supply from the Middle East.

LPG Shortage Live: People stand in long queues to refill LPG cooking gas cylinders at Turbhe in Navi Mumbai amid concerns over supply shortages.

LPG Shortage Live: A cooking gas shortage linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict has triggered panic buying and a growing black market for LPG cylinders across Delhi, with domestic cylinders selling for ₹2,000– ₹2,500 and commercial cylinders nearing ₹3,000 in several areas of the capital. Read here

LPG Shortage Live: The Enforcement wing of the CAF and Civil Supplies Department has launched search and seizure operations to curb the illegal commercial diversion and pilferage of domestic LPG cylinders, an official statement said.

During coordinated raids on March 9 across Hanmakonda, Warangal and Karmanghat, officials seized 22 domestic cylinders, 25 small cylinders and several gas refilling units from various proprietors, with the seized property valued at ₹64,468.

LPG Shortage Live: Domestic LPG production has increased by about 25 percent and the entire output is being directed towards household consumers, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Wednesday.

The government added that for non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.

LPG Shortage Live: The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday decided to prioritise the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions amid concerns of possible disruptions due to the West Asia conflict.

The state has also begun preparations to arrange wood for commercial use if required, though officials said there is currently no shortage of gas cylinders.

Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan reviewed the situation at a meeting in the state’s summer capital Gairsain, with district officials and representatives from oil and gas companies joining via videoconference.

LPG Shortage Live: A shortage of cooking gas is severely affecting restaurants in Hyderabad, forcing some establishments to switch to wood for cooking.

Nadeem Quadri, owner of MS Mandi in Hyderabad, said many hotels in Telangana have already shut down due to the shortage, while others are struggling with rising costs.

He alleged that LPG is being sold on the black market and that wood prices have also surged, making operations difficult. Quadri said his restaurant is continuing to serve customers by cooking on wood despite the challenges, even during the holy month of Ramadan.

LPG Shortage Live: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Thursday said efforts are underway to stabilise the LPG supply situation, adding that new avenues are emerging for India to secure additional fuel supplies.

Speaking to reporters, Gopi said Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had addressed questions on the LPG crisis in Parliament on Wednesday.

He noted that certain details related to fuel supply through the Strait of Hormuz could not be disclosed due to diplomatic sensitivities.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most crucial maritime chokepoints, with roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passing through the narrow waterway, along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas and fertilisers.

LPG Shortage Live: A reported shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is beginning to affect hotels and restaurants in Bhopal, with some operators switching to alternatives such as induction cooking while a few establishments have temporarily shut down, ANI reported.

The disruption is also impacting residents, with long queues seen at several gas agencies across the city for domestic LPG cylinders.

Amid the shortage, a major fast-food chain operating around 27 outlets across Madhya Pradesh, including Bhopal, has started gradually shifting to induction-based cooking to keep its kitchens running.