New Delhi, July 3 -- To meet the rising domestic fuel demand and strengthen its energy security, India is planning to build three new strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs).

These underground storage facilities will be developed in Rajasthan, Odisha, and Karnataka, aiming to increase the country's emergency crude oil stockpile.

According to government sources, the new reserves will collectively add 12 million metric tonnes (MMT) to India's existing strategic storage capacity, reported mint.

The move comes at a time when global oil prices remain volatile and India's energy needs are growing steadily.

Currently, India has three SPRs located in Mangaluru (Karnataka), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), and Padur (also in Karnataka), with a comb...