Government Initiatives to Cut Reliance on Crude Oil Imports

11 Mar 2025 CW Team

To address fuel pricing challenges and mitigate the impact of global crude oil price fluctuations, various steps have been taken. The government reduced central excise duties on petrol and diesel in 2021 and 2022, with state governments also adjusting VAT rates. In 2024, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre. Other strategies include diversifying crude imports, enhancing ethanol blending, and rationalizing freight costs to benefit remote consumers. Subsidised LPG cylinders are provided to over 100.33 million PM Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, with additional state-level subsidies.

Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the oil and gas sector are actively working toward achieving net-zero emissions. Their strategies include the adoption of cleaner fuels, implementation of Bharat Stage VI norms, biofuel promotion, expansion of gas-based energy, and investments in green hydrogen and EV infrastructure. Ethanol blending has significantly reduced CO2 emissions, and the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana is supporting advanced biofuel projects to further enhance sustainability in the energy sector.

News source: PIB

The government has implemented several initiatives to reduce reliance on imported crude oil and enhance domestic oil and gas production. These measures include policies such as the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime for early monetization of hydrocarbon discoveries (2014), the Discovered Small Field Policy (2015), and the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) (2016). Other key initiatives include the extension of PSCs (2016, 2017), the early monetization of Coal Bed Methane (2017), and the establishment of the National Data Repository (2017). Additional efforts include the appraisal of unassessed sedimentary basins under the National Seismic Programme (2017), incentives for enhanced recovery methods (2018), and reforms in natural gas marketing (2020). Moreover, the government has introduced lower royalty rates, relaxed revenue-sharing mechanisms, and released significant offshore areas for exploration. To address fuel pricing challenges and mitigate the impact of global crude oil price fluctuations, various steps have been taken. The government reduced central excise duties on petrol and diesel in 2021 and 2022, with state governments also adjusting VAT rates. In 2024, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 per litre. Other strategies include diversifying crude imports, enhancing ethanol blending, and rationalizing freight costs to benefit remote consumers. Subsidised LPG cylinders are provided to over 100.33 million PM Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, with additional state-level subsidies. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the oil and gas sector are actively working toward achieving net-zero emissions. Their strategies include the adoption of cleaner fuels, implementation of Bharat Stage VI norms, biofuel promotion, expansion of gas-based energy, and investments in green hydrogen and EV infrastructure. Ethanol blending has significantly reduced CO2 emissions, and the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana is supporting advanced biofuel projects to further enhance sustainability in the energy sector. News source: PIB

Infrastructure Urban

06 Nov 2025

7X & Zelostech Launch ‘AutoLogiX’ for Autonomous Transport in the Middle East

7X, the trade, transport, and logistics group, has launched Autologix Smarttech LLC (AutoLogiX)—a new joint venture with Zelostech, a global leader in autonomous vehicle technologies. AutoLogiX aims to build an integrated logistics ecosystem powered by Level 4 autonomous vehicles, strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for smart, tech-enabled transportation.In its first phase, AutoLogiX will roll out Level 4 autonomous cargo vehicles—purpose-built with no cab, steering wheel, or driver—signalling a major shift from traditional vans and trucks to faster, safer, and more sustai..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Nov 2025

Tranter Chosen as Key Supplier for UK’s Flagship Carbon Capture Project

Tranter has secured a major contract to supply gasketed plate-and-frame heat exchangers for the Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) project, set to become the world’s first gas-fired power plant equipped with commercial-scale carbon capture technology.Designed to deliver over 740 MW of flexible, low-carbon power—enough to supply more than one million UK homes—NZT Power will capture up to two million tonnes of CO₂ annually. The captured CO₂ will be transported and stored by the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), supporting decarbonization across the East Coast Cluster in Teesside a..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Nov 2025

Goa Advances Sustainable Future with Scientific Waste Management

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reaffirmed Goa’s commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability through scientific and responsible waste management practices. He highlighted that the Common Hazardous Treatment and Storage Facility has become a key element in ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable management of hazardous waste across the State. Sawant said the state-of-the-art facility not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also supports local employment, with nearly 80 per cent of its workforce comprising Goan youth. He added that the State’s environmenta..