Amidst escalating global energy concerns, recent government data and a revealing RTI response have sparked a debate over India’s preparedness for a supply crisis. As of March 2026, India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) hold only 3.372 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil, which is approximately 64% of the total 5.33 MMT capacity.
While the infrastructure is designed to provide a 9.5-day buffer at full capacity, the current sub-optimal levels mean the actual emergency cover has dwindled to roughly six days. This disclosure, presented in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi, highlights a critical gap in the nation’s energy “insurance policy” at a time when over 88% of India’s crude requirements are met through imports.
Empty Caverns and Fiscal Hurdles
The current shortfall is spread across three primary underground salt caverns managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL): Visakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangaluru (1.5 MMT), and Padur (2.5 MMT).
Government officials have defended the current levels, stating that reserve figures are “dynamic” and fluctuate based on market conditions.”The quantity of crude available varies depending on market dynamics and consumption trends,” Minister Gopi informed the House.
However, critics point to a significant underspending of the allocated budget; out of a ₹5,876 crore allocation for filling and expanding reserves this fiscal year, only ₹1,039 crore is expected to be utilized, primarily due to the high cost of international crude which has made replenishment financially taxing.
A Race Against Geopolitical Tensions
The urgency to fill these reserves is compounded by the fact that nearly 40% of India’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint currently affected by West Asia’s volatile security climate.
While India’s total national storage which includes stocks held by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) can technically last 74 days, it still falls short of the 90-day benchmark recommended by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
To bridge this gap, the government approved Phase II expansion in July 2021, planning new facilities in Chandikhol, Odisha (4 MMT) and an expansion in Padur (2.5 MMT). However, these projects face delays, with the Padur expansion not expected to be operational until August 2030.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that energy security is the invisible backbone of a peaceful and prosperous society. When our strategic reserves sit one-third empty, it isn’t just a statistic; it is a vulnerability that could impact everything from the price of a liter of milk to the stability of our national economy.
While we acknowledge the government’s efforts to diversify sourcing from 41 different countries, a physical stockpile remains the only true safeguard against a sudden global blockade. We advocate for a more aggressive “fill-when-low” policy and the prioritization of Phase II infrastructure.
True sovereignty is not just about where we buy our oil, but how well we can protect ourselves when the taps are turned off.
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