newspop
Kerala : The Kerala government has initiated surprise inspections and laboratory testing of petrol samples at fuel stations across the state amid growing concerns over excessive ethanol blending in petrol. The drive, launched on Monday, November 9, follows allegations from neighbouring Karnataka that ethanol content in commercially sold petrol has exceeded the prescribed 20% limit.
The inspection campaign is being led by the Kerala Civil Supplies Department, with enforcement teams collecting random one-litre petrol samples from retail outlets across different districts. Officials are sending sealed samples to government laboratories for detailed analysis, following established procedures in the presence of oil company representatives.
In Ernakulam, officials carried out inspections at an Indian Oil Corporation outlet in Chembumukku and collected multiple samples for laboratory testing. Kerala Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stressed that consumers have the right to know about the composition, quality and ethanol content of the fuel they purchase.
The move comes after a Karnataka government audit reportedly found ethanol concentrations ranging between 26% and 31% in 63 petrol samples collected across the state, exceeding the stipulated 20% limit. The findings have triggered concerns over possible engine damage, reduced mileage and other mechanical issues, particularly in older vehicles.
However, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has rejected the Karnataka findings, maintaining that tests conducted on 893 E20 petrol samples across 27 states and Union Territories confirmed compliance with prescribed quality standards.
Meanwhile, public sector oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum, have maintained that ethanol blending takes place through automated systems at fuel terminals, leaving no scope for manual tampering at retail outlets.
Kerala’s testing initiative is expected to provide further clarity on fuel quality and address growing consumer concerns surrounding E20 petrol.
