The Central Government has directed state governments to take stricter action against fuel adulteration and ensure proper handling of ethanol-blended petrol across the supply chain. The move comes as public discussion around E20 petrol has intensified, with motorists raising concerns over fuel quality and vehicle compatibility.
In a question-and-answer document issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Centre said that any instances of fuel adulteration or procedural lapses should be dealt with firmly. It urged states to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards practices that compromise fuel quality and called for strict enforcement against violations.
The ministry, however, did not state that adulteration had been identified within the E20 distribution network. The document also did not include details of any specific cases, investigations or enforcement action taken by state authorities.
According to the government, the objective is to distinguish issues arising from fuel adulteration or handling errors from the approved E20 fuel specification itself. The ministry said that any failure in storage, transportation or distribution should not be interpreted as evidence that E20, when supplied according to prescribed standards, is inherently unsafe.
The clarification comes amid ongoing concerns from some vehicle owners regarding the use of E20 petrol. Several motorists have reported reduced fuel efficiency, changes in vehicle performance and worries about long-term effects on fuel system components. At the same time, the government noted that some incidents initially linked to E20 were later found to involve adulterated fuel rather than the ethanol blend itself.
The latest directive is part of the Centre’s effort to reinforce fuel quality standards while continuing with the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol.
