Proactive measures by government helped tackle Hormuz disruptions efficiently: Expert
New Delhi, July 2
India successfully negotiated energy disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict due to proactive measures taken by the government and the planning done over the years to build resilience, former BPCL Director Sukhmal Jain has said.
"There were widespread apprehensions of a severe crisis. However, for the past few years, proactive measures have been continuously taken by the oil companies, the Ministry of Petroleum, and the government. Because of this solid groundwork, we were mentally prepared to a large extent when the crisis hit," he told ANI.
"We decided to tackle this on two fronts: managing the supply side and simultaneously controlling the demand side," Jain added
On the supply front, the government coordinated extensively across multiple departments. "Whether it was the Ministry of External Affairs, the Shipping Ministry, or identifying other countries where we could source products, every possible avenue was explored and utilised," he said.
"We even explored float vessels carrying products mid-sea to secure immediate supplies," he added.
Jain said that to ensure seamless execution, the administration maintained strict vigilance over logistics.
"The coordination between the central government's various arms and state governments was crucial in executing this machinery without friction," Jain emphasized," he noted.
He said the government managed the energy disruption crisis by putting minimal burden on the common man. The conflict between Iran and Israel-US, which began on February 28, has caused global energy disruptions.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm an expat living in Mumbai, and the steady supply of fuel during this crisis impressed me. Back home in the UK, we would have seen panic buying and long queues. India's crisis management and inter-departmental coordination are truly commendable. Well done!
Finally some good news about our preparedness! But we must also acknowledge the hard work of our oil companies and shipping ministry. They are the real heroes behind the scenes. Let's not just credit the government for everything; these are dedicated professionals doing their job.
While I appreciate the effort, I hope we are also working on long-term solutions like renewable energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The crisis management is good, but true resilience means not being so vulnerable to such disruptions in the first place. #EnergyIndependence
Very interesting read. The 'demand side' management is key - I noticed the government didn't panic and impose sudden curbs. That kept the markets calm and people from hoarding. This is a textbook example of how to handle a supply crisis with minimal disruption, unlike some past episodes. Chalo, at least some good planning is happening! 🇮🇳
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