HighLights
  1. Govt dismisses E20 fuel adulteration reports nationwide.
  2. Additional testing initiated; 2,000+ samples checked.
  3. Only two chloride adulteration cases found, pumps closed.

E20 Fuel Row: The government on Tuesday addressed the concerns about adulterated fuel allegedly being sold at petrol pumps, releasing a statement. Amid the nationwide debate over E20 fuel and the adulteration of petrol and diesel, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas dismissed reports of fuel quality issues, saying additional testing has been initiated to detect fuel adulteration.

The ministry stated, "Oil marketing companies monitor fuel quality daily and added that additional testing has been initiated in addition to the existing testing protocol."

More Than 2,000 Samples Tested

The government said water leakage tests are now being conducted 8 to 12 times a day at more than 87,000 fuel outlets. The ministry also stated that more than 2,000 samples have been tested for chloride and sulfide contamination.

The authorities said, "It is clarified that oil marketing companies regularly monitor fuel quality. In addition to the existing advanced testing protocols, additional testing has been initiated, including water leakage testing 8 to 12 times a day at over 87,000 outlets."

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Adulteration Detected In 2 Cases

The ministry further stated, "More than 2,000 samples have also been tested for chloride/sulfide. So far, only 2 cases of chloride adulteration have been reported across the country, and sales from those pumps were immediately stopped."

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It also stated that if adulteration is detected at any retail outlet, strict action will be taken. Oil marketing companies have also been directed to take preemptive steps to detect adulteration in the fuel supply chain.

On rumours over E20 petrol, the government said the E20-compliant vehicles undergo rigorous international standard validation before reaching consumers. Data from 1.4 crore E20-operated vehicles showed no evidence of ethanol-induced corrosion, it said, adding that the oil marketing companies conduct over 30,000 retail outlet inspections to verify fuel quality and check adulteration.
(With Jagran.com inputs)


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