Excessive ethanol blending in petrol is a serious risk for the country: DK Shivakumar

Mixing ethanol in petrol in excess of the prescribed limits is not just a matter of serious concern for Karnataka but for the entire country, and it poses a major risk to public safety, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday. Due to these irregularities in petrol blending, vehicle owners are facing various problems in their vehicles, regarding which the state government has received thousands of complaints.

According to a report by India Today, Chief Minister Shivakumar stated that motorists have lodged complaints regarding numerous issues, ranging from reduced mileage in their vehicles to engines stalling in the middle of the road. Taking this serious matter into account, the state government has ordered a detailed investigation. Government officials have collected petrol samples from 67 different locations so far and have completed approximately 30 per cent of the work regarding the investigation into this alleged excessive blending.

Shivakumar further added that samples were taken and inspected after informing the Central Government. He stated that ministers have received reports containing details of where ethanol is being mixed and where the blending is occurring during distribution. Information has been collected by the government regarding all petrol pumps and distribution points where it appears this process is taking place.

According to the government's allegation, ethanol is being mixed with petrol with the aim of obtaining higher profits by procuring ethanol at lower prices. Condemning such activities in strong words, Shivakumar said that this matter could become life-threatening for motorists. He also criticised BJP and JDS leaders, including Basavaraj Bommai and R. Ashoka, for remaining silent on this issue.

Earlier on Friday, the Karnataka government claimed that petrol being sold in the state was found to have more than the prescribed 20 per cent limit of ethanol under the E20 programme. The government had collected samples from major oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Shell. When these companies failed to provide clear details regarding the proportion of ethanol, the samples were sent to private laboratories for independent testing.

Tests conducted by the Bengaluru-based Shriram Research Institute revealed that the proportion of ethanol in many samples was more than 20 per cent. According to the state government's findings, an IOCL sample showed 31.2 per cent ethanol, an HPCL sample showed 30.5 per cent, a BPCL sample showed 26.5 per cent, a Nayara Petrol sample showed 26.1 per cent, and a Shell petrol sample showed 25.5 per cent ethanol. It was also informed that the concerned state minister will hold a press conference on Monday to provide detailed information about the investigation findings to make people aware of these inconsistencies and ensure their safety.

The E20 programme was a government programme to increase the proportion of ethanol in petrol blending, aimed at diversifying fuel sources and reducing carbon emissions. Under this programme, the proportion of ethanol in petrol blending was prescribed to be kept up to 20 per cent.