Oil Minister Puri reassures E20 fuel safety, urges reporting of insurance denial
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has reiterated that E20 fuel, a 20% ethanol-petrol blend, is safe for vehicles and encouraged consumers to report to the government if insurers deny claims related to its use.
Speaking at the PAFI annual forum, Puri addressed concerns about insurance coverage, noting that the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) had already reviewed the matter. He said vehicle owners should have no hesitation in using E20, which is being promoted as part of India’s broader clean energy transition.
The minister also underlined India’s position in the global energy landscape, stating that despite volatility abroad, the country has not faced shortages or major cost pressures. He attributed the rise in oil and gas imports to robust domestic demand, which is expanding at nearly three times the global average. India has diversified energy sourcing from 27 to 40 countries, he added, while criticising past policies such as oil bonds that burdened public finances.
Highlighting green energy efforts, Puri described green hydrogen as the “fuel of the future” with significant potential to reduce import dependence. He pointed to Indian Oil Corporation’s recent tender that lowered hydrogen prices below $4 and said 20% ethanol blending could save the country about Rs. 1.40 lakh crore in imports while also supporting farmers. Projects such as the Panipat bioethanol plant, which uses crop stubble, are expected to reduce pollution and contribute to energy security.
On urban development, Puri said India’s waste reprocessing capacity has grown from 14% in 2014 to more than 80% today, though it needs to reach full coverage to match urban growth. He noted that illegal constructions worsen issues like waterlogging and emphasised river dredging to prevent pollution, citing the example of Kanpur tanneries. He further linked progress in current schemes to the foundation built by the Swachh Bharat Mission and referred to the Supreme Court’s recent call for stronger measures against stubble burning.
