Amidst the escalating conflict in West Asia and fears of a global energy crunch, rumors of a fresh nationwide lockdown—reminiscent of the COVID-19 era—had begun to grip the nation. Addressing these concerns, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, clarified on Friday that such reports are entirely baseless and fabricated. He urged citizens not to succumb to panic or misinformation.

Taking to social media platform X, the Minister stated, “The rumors regarding a lockdown in India are completely false. No such proposal is under consideration by the Government of India. It is essential to remain calm and responsible during these challenging times.” The panic was triggered by reports of a potential blockage in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to ‘panic buying’ at petrol pumps and LPG outlets. However, the Minister assured that India’s fuel supply chain remains robust.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously bolstered this sentiment in Parliament, revealing that India has built a strategic crude oil reserve of 5.3 million metric tons over the last 11 years. An additional 6.5 million metric tons of capacity is in the works to handle any global emergencies. The government has emphasized that there is no shortage of essential commodities, and India is well-prepared to navigate international crises without halting domestic life.