Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian citizens to use public transport and car-pool to conserve petrol and diesel supplies [1, 2].
The appeal comes as global oil supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz threaten to disrupt energy markets and increase costs for consumers. Because India imports about 84% of its crude oil needs [1], the nation is particularly vulnerable to geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
Modi called for a reduction in unnecessary trips to protect the national economy. "I urge every Indian to use public transport, car-pool, and avoid unnecessary trips to save fuel," Modi said [3].
The Petroleum Ministry has sought to balance this call for conservation with assurances that the domestic market remains stable. Sujata Sharma, a government spokesperson, said, "We request citizens to make every effort to save fuel and protect the economy" [1].
Despite the Prime Minister's appeal, the ministry emphasized that the current situation is not an emergency. "There is no fuel crisis in the country; the supply chain remains robust," a government spokesperson said [2].
These measures follow a period of volatility in the energy sector. Petrol and diesel prices have risen by roughly five percent in the last month [2]. The government is monitoring the situation closely to prevent shortages and curb further price hikes caused by external disruptions.
While some reports indicate rising public concern over fuel availability [1], the official government position remains that supply is stable [2]. The appeal to use metro systems and shared transport is intended as a preemptive strategy to mitigate the impact of global supply chain shocks.
“"I urge every Indian to use public transport, car-pool, and avoid unnecessary trips to save fuel."”
The Indian government is attempting to manage public behavior and demand to create a buffer against global oil shocks. By framing fuel conservation as a patriotic duty to protect the economy, the administration aims to reduce the immediate pressure on reserves without triggering panic buying or admitting a systemic vulnerability to Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions.
