Telangana Stabilizes Fuel Supply, Plans PNG Expansion Amid Global Tensions
Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Saturday that Telangana has largely brought recent stress on petrol, diesel, and LPG supplies under control. Speaking at a virtual meeting convened by Union ministries of petroleum, natural gas, housing, and urban affairs, Reddy committed to coordinating with the Centre to expand the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network across the state.
Panic Buying Subsides as Supply Stabilizes
Reddy acknowledged that a brief phase of panic buying had strained supplies, but emphasized that the situation has now stabilized in many areas. "I followed the situation closely… we'll address issues in our cities. Distribution companies have briefed me," he stated during the meeting. Officials attributed the mid-March surge in demand to rumors linked to West Asia tensions, which prompted reviews and action against black marketing.
Focus on PNG Expansion and Infrastructure
The meeting focused on ensuring uninterrupted civic services and accelerating PNG expansion. Reddy noted that any hurdles in PNG expansion would be taken up with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. "We will have a meeting and sort out issues if any," he assured. Hyderabad's City Gas Distribution (CGD) operator, Bhagyanagar Gas, is continuing to scale up Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure as part of this effort.
Addressing Commercial LPG Shortages
On the ground, Reddy flagged a shortage of commercial LPG, expressing hope that increased central allocations would ease the situation soon. While domestic LPG remained largely stable, commercial supplies were significantly impacted. The minister also raised procurement-related concerns separately with Union Minister Prahlad Joshi to ensure smoother operations.
Coordinated Efforts with Central Government
The state's proactive measures include close monitoring and coordination with central authorities to mitigate future disruptions. Reddy's statements underscore Telangana's commitment to maintaining fuel security and advancing clean energy initiatives through PNG, despite global geopolitical pressures affecting oil markets.
