Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has firmly defended the government's push for ethanol-blended fuel, dismissing concerns over vehicle damage and claiming there is no evidence that E-20 petrol harms engines. In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, Gadkari said ethanol has been blended with petrol in India since 2004 and no proven case of vehicle damage has surfaced. He maintained that the country's shift towards alternative fuels is aimed at reducing crude oil imports, improving air quality and increasing farmers' earnings, while stressing that the Petroleum Ministry takes the final decision on fuel policy.
Alternative fuels key to energy security
Explaining why he often speaks about ethanol despite heading the Road Transport Ministry, Gadkari said his ministry is responsible for setting automobile engineering standards, while the Petroleum Ministry decides which fuel is to be used. He said he has worked for nearly 25 years to promote alternative fuels in the interest of farmers. India imports petroleum worth nearly Rs 22 lakh crore annually, while transport contributes around 40% of Delhi's pollution, making cleaner fuels an urgent necessity, he said.
He added that India now has sufficient ethanol production capacity to meet future demand.
- Annual ethanol requirement is around 1,450 crore litres.
- Current production capacity has reached 1,750-1,800 crore litres.
- Ethanol is being produced from sugarcane, molasses, maize, broken rice, crop residue and bamboo.
- The programme has helped reduce oil imports, cut pollution and improve farmers' incomes.
Mileage depends on roads and traffic
Responding to complaints that E-20 petrol lowers fuel efficiency, Gadkari acknowledged that ethanol has a slightly lower calorific value than petrol, which may lead to a marginal difference under certain conditions. However, he said mileage depends largely on road quality and traffic conditions rather than fuel alone. He also noted that ethanol is cheaper and cleaner than conventional petrol and that the rollout of flex-fuel engines would further narrow any difference in fuel efficiency.
On the demand for regular petrol alongside E-20, as seen in several countries, Gadkari said every nation frames fuel policy according to its own circumstances. He cited Brazil, where 100% ethanol has been in use since the 1970s, saying India is gradually moving towards a broader alternative-fuel ecosystem.
No proof of vehicle damage, says minister
Rejecting claims that E-20 damages vehicles, Gadkari said no credible evidence has emerged despite ethanol blending being practised for more than two decades. He blamed misleading information circulating on social media for creating unnecessary fears. On fuel prices, he clarified that international crude oil prices influence petrol rates and that pricing decisions are taken by the Petroleum Ministry, not his ministry.
He also argued that even if global crude prices fall sharply, ethanol would remain strategically important because its benefits extend beyond economics to include energy security, environmental protection and rural prosperity.
Road quality under strict monitoring
Addressing complaints about potholes on national highways, including the Delhi-Dehradun corridor, Gadkari said the overall quality of highways remains good and that technology is being used to closely monitor construction standards. He said an advanced road-scanning system, similar to an X-ray machine, is helping authorities assess highway conditions, while he personally reviewed 950 projects in the past month. Several companies have already been blacklisted for poor performance, he added, and a contractor rating list will soon be made public.
- Advanced road-scanning technology is monitoring highway quality.
- Around 950 highway projects were reviewed recently.
- Multiple contractors have been blacklisted for poor work.
- Contractor ratings will soon be released publicly.
Politics driven by principles, not power
Reflecting on his political style, Gadkari said he has always followed principles rather than convenience and has never entered politics merely to enjoy power. He described politics as a tool for bringing social and economic transformation, saying his objective has always been nation-building and public welfare rather than holding office. He reiterated that alternative fuels are not just an energy choice but a long-term strategy to make India cleaner, more self-reliant and less dependent on imported oil.
