Two Indian flagged vessels Shivalik and Nanda Devi have crossed Strait of Hormuz safely early morning today. Special Secretary at Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Rajesh Kumar Sinha informed about this while addressing the Inter-Ministerial media briefing in New Delhi this evening. He noted that these vessels are carrying 92 thousand 700 metric tonnes of LPG. Mr Sinha further informed that the vessels will arrive at Mundra and Kandla port on 16 and 17th of this month.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Sujata Sharma informed that there is no Dry Out at any retail outlets or LPG distributorship and sufficient diesel and petrol is available. She added that there are adequate crude oil inventories in the country. The Joint Secretary also urged the citizens to refrain from panic booking of LPG Cylinders and only book when required. She informed that commercial cylinders have been kept at the disposal for state governments and the distribution of commercial cylinders in 29 states and UTs has begun. Raids and Inspections are also being conducted by various state governments to control black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders. On the reported inconvenience caused by consumers while booking cylinders for their household, the Joint Secretary said that cylinders can only be booked after 25 days from the previous delivery date in urban areas and after 45 days in rural areas. She also urged the citizens to book cylinders digitally and avoid queuing up outside the distributors.
Additional Secretary Gulf at Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem Mahajan informed that 1 lakh 72 thousand Indian Nationals have returned home from West Asia region since 28th of last month. He added that Air connectivity is steadily improving with addition of more flights to different airports in the country. Mr Mahajan said that flights have been operating from Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. He also informed that Indian Nationals who are in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, where direct flights are not operating, are being assisted with Visa Extension, Transit Visas for onward Journey via Saudi Arabia.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, C Senthil Rajan urged the people to be cautious of the fake news that is being peddled on social media.
