India's annual refining capacity is projected to rise by about a fifth to a 309.5 million metric ton equivalent to 6.19 million barrels per day by 2028 to meet rising local fuel demand, junior petroleum minister said in a written reply to lawmakers.

India refiners continue to upgrade their plants and boost capacity, Suresh Gopi said.

India's current refining capacity stands at about 5.14 million bpd.

In response to a separate question, the minister said India's strategic petroleum reserves (SPRs) can meet the nations crude oil requirement for 9.5 days.

The nation has SPRs at three locations in southern India with a combined capacity of 5.33 million tons and has approved the building of a 4 million ton facility at Chandikhol in Odisha and a 2.5 million ton facility in Karnataka with the involvement of private companies.

(Reporting by Nidhi Verma, Editing by Louise Heavens)