Govt Refutes Fuel Contamination Claims in E20 Petrol
OMCs say nationwide testing found no evidence of excessive moisture or chloride in E20 petrol supplied across India.
- OMCs reject claims of high chloride and moisture in E20 petrol.
- Nationwide testing found chloride levels within prescribed limits.
- Over 1,000 retail outlet samples tested under intensified surveillance.
- Consumers urged to continue using E20 petrol with confidence.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Aug: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) on Friday dismissed reports alleging excessive moisture and chloride contamination in E20 petrol, saying extensive nationwide testing across the fuel supply chain found no evidence to support such claims.
In a statement, the OMCs said additional intensive testing was carried out from refineries and distilleries to depots, tank trucks and retail outlets, reaffirming that fuel quality remained well within the prescribed standards.
The companies said random scientific testing did not validate claims of chloride levels reaching 500 ppm or the presence of moisture affecting fuel quality.
According to the OMCs, petrol samples collected from refineries recorded chloride levels at or below 1 ppm, while ethanol samples from 80 distilleries across the country contained less than 3 ppm chloride.
More than 80 samples collected from depots and terminals also showed chloride levels below 3 ppm.
Under an intensified monitoring programme, over 1,000 retail outlet samples were collected, with 160 reports analysed so far. Chloride levels ranged between 0 and 3 ppm, the statement said. Only four isolated cases of elevated chloride levels were detected, following which supplies were immediately suspended until corrective measures were completed.
The OMCs also said around 90,000 retail outlets have begun mandatory inspections of underground storage tanks, with water-ingress tests being conducted 8 to 12 times daily. No instances of water ingress have been detected so far.
The companies added that mobile fuel-testing laboratories have been deployed across the country, while test results are being independently validated through fuel laboratories to maintain quality standards.
OMCs reiterated that India’s ethanol blending programme is supported by stringent quality specifications and continuous monitoring at every stage of the supply chain.
They urged consumers to continue using E20 petrol with confidence, stating that fuel supplied through the OMC network conforms to prescribed quality standards and is backed by robust quality assurance mechanisms.
