Preparations anticipating the worst

From oil stock to health facilities, government keen on bracing the situation

An elderly person walks along a road at a market closed following shelling by Pakistani troops at Uri in Baramulla district on Friday. Pic: PTI

New Delhi: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation's largest oil firm, on Friday said ample stocks of petrol, diesel and cooking gas LPG are available in the country and there is no need for panic buying of fuel.

The statement comes after social media was flooded with posts and videos showing people queuing at petrol pumps to stock fuel as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.  "Indian Oil has ample fuel stocks across the country and our supply lines are operating smoothly," IOC said in a post on X. "There is no need for panic buying-fuel and LPG are readily available at all our outlets."

Panic buying was mostly witnessed in states bordering Pakistan.

"Help us serve you better by staying calm and avoiding unnecessary rush. This will keep our supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all," IOC said.

IOC advised the citizens to stay calm and avoid unnecessary rush, which will help the company in keeping their supply lines running seamlessly and ensure uninterrupted fuel access for all.

Telcos’ network preparedness

Indian telecom operators have taken immediate measures to ensure uninterrupted connectivity, including intra-circle roaming arrangements and setting up of control centres for constant vigil, as well as diesel stock-up for telecom towers.

The telecom department held a meeting with operators earlier this week, and asked telcos to establish national-level control centres and ensure network continuity and close coordination at all times.

Sources said the meeting took place on May 7, and all telcos offered their full commitment to the government in immediately activating measures including round-the-clock monitoring of networks, in light of the prevailing situation.

The telecom department on the same day issued an office memo detailing the measures. Telcos were asked to share details of their nodal officers in charge of control centres, and ensure roaming arrangements work smoothly so customers have 24/7 connectivity.

They were also asked to ensure adequate diesel supplies so that towers can switch to Diesel Generator (DG) gensets in case of any power disruptions.

The operators were also asked to set up 'war rooms' for vigil, and work in close coordination.

The government also instructed telecom operators to inform in real-time in case any network or site is affected.

Traders warned against hoarding

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday warned traders, wholesalers and retailers against hoarding of essential food items and asserted that the government has ample stocks.

"Traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities which engage in trading of Essential Commodities are directed to cooperate with Law Enforcement agencies. Any person indulging in hoarding or stockpiling, shall be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act," Joshi said.

"In certain parts of the country, rumours are spreading, causing people to rush to collect essential food items and other daily necessities," he said.

The minister had categorically said, "We have more than enough stock of everything required across the country".

Nadda reviews health infrastructure

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday reviewed health infrastructure preparedness across hospitals in the country amid the ongoing India-Pakistan military conflict, official sources said.

During the meeting, senior officials of the health ministry briefed him about the preparedness of health facilities and informed him that complete monitoring is being done from the control centre.

Nadda and his team assessed the readiness of hospitals and health facilities across the country, the sources.

Security measures at airports

Enhanced security measures have been put in place at airports across the country, and some flights have been impacted, while airlines have advised passengers to reach airports well in advance before their scheduled flight departures.

DIAL, the operator of the country's largest and busiest airport IGIA in the national capital, on Friday said operations are normal.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has made secondary ladder point checking compulsory for all flights, banned visitors at terminal buildings of airports and enhanced overall security.

Airline officials said flight operations are normal.

With security being stepped up at the airports, airlines have asked passengers to reach the airport three hours before departure of domestic flights in the wake of stepping up of checks and other security measures at the airports.

"Delhi airport operations remain normal. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, some flight schedules and security processing timings may be impacted,' DIAL said in a post on X.

Mumbai airport operator MIAL, in a post on X said that in view of enhanced security measures, passengers may experience longer wait times at the airport. "We recommend arriving well in advance to ensure a smooth travel experience," it added.

The airline is offering a change/ cancellation fee waiver for bookings made on or before May 8 for flights to and from these 10 airports.

DIAL also advised passengers to be prepared for additional time at security checkpoints and cooperate with airline and security staff for smooth processing.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). On Thursday, at least 90 flights to and from the Delhi airport were cancelled.

ATMs well stocked

State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and several other lenders on Friday said their ATMs are fully functional, well-stocked, and that digital services are operating smoothly.

They also said that all their digital services are operating smoothly.

"All our ATMs, CDMs/ADWMs and digital services are fully operational and available for public use," India's largest bank, State Bank of India, said in a post on social media post 'X'.

India's largest lender also advised its customers not to rely on unverified information.

Similar messages have been posted by Bank of Baroda, Punjab and Sindh Bank, Canara Bank and Bank of India.

"All our digital services too are operating smoothly, ensuring a seamless banking experience from the comfort of your home," Punjab National Bank said in a post on social media platform 'X'.

Mumbai ATC sees surge

Mumbai: Mumbai Air Traffic Control (ATC) has experienced a surge in traffic, after international flights were rerouted due to the closure of Pakistani airspace since last month, sources said.

Apart from handling Europe, North and South America-bound flights originating from Mumbai, the ATC is now also handling aircraft flying towards these regions from Northern India, the sources added.

Pakistan shut its airspace for Indian airlines on April 24 in response to India's diplomatic measures against the neighbouring country following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed at least 26 people.

On April 30, India also shut its airspace to Pakistan airlines as part of the retaliatory measure. On a normal day, Mumbai ATC handles between 950-970 arrivals and departures, including unscheduled flights, apart from some 2,000 flights overflying Mumbai skies, as per sources.

"Some 130 flights from Northern India for destinations in Europe, North and South America would take the Bhopal-Ahmedabad-Karachi route to Muscat, without touching Mumbai airspace, from where they would enter Europe. Now, after the closure of the Pakistani airspace, all these flights are coming to Mumbai airspace via Ahmedabad to enter Muscat," said a source.

In addition to this, according to sources, some 250 flights originating from South East Asia for the Middle East, Europe and South and North America are also now going via Mumbai (airspace) to avoid Pakistani airspace.

The traffic has also spiked on account of the recent closure of about 25 flight routes on Wednesday that allow planes to enter Pakistan through the Indian airspace, when the armed forces launched missile attacks on terror targets in Pakistan, as per sources.

"Some foreign airlines are now filing a revised flight plan, wherein they are flying via Mumbai (airspace) after the closure of these 25 routes," said the source, adding that even chartered flight operators flying internationally are avoiding Pakistani airspace due to the prevailing situation.