India's Secret Oil Reserves: Mountain Caves Guard Nation Against Global Crises

• India has built Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) in vast cave-like structures within strong mountain rocks for emergencies.
• These reserves, located in Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur, hold 5.33 million metric tons, covering 9-10 days of need.
• The plan originated from the 1991 Gulf War crisis when India faced a severe energy shortage with only days of oil left.
• Unlike commercial reserves, SPRs are government-controlled, stored underground for security against war or disaster.
• India is expanding its SPR capacity with new sites like Chandikhol and Padur expansion, aiming for greater energy security.