BENGALURU, Nov 8: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said petrol samples had been collected and tested at 67 locations across the state following complaints that increased ethanol blending was affecting vehicle engine performance.

Thousands of motorists had complained of reduced mileage, failure to cover expected distances and engines stalling while vehicles were in motion, Shivakumar said. The state government had taken the complaints seriously, issued directions to the minister concerned and sent information to the Centre, he said.

At a glance

  • Petrol samples were collected and tested at 67 locations across Karnataka.
  • Motorists raised concerns over 31.5 per cent ethanol being blended with petrol.
  • Inspections covered petrol pumps, ethanol blending points and distribution stages.
  • Officials collected documents on the locations and manner of blending.
  • The minister concerned was expected to hold a press conference on Monday.

What happened

Shivakumar said the exercise was launched after motorists reported problems with petrol-powered vehicles. The inspections were not confined to retail fuel outlets, he said.

Teams also examined the stages at which ethanol was blended with petrol and the subsequent distribution of the fuel. They collected records relating to the places where blending was carried out and the manner in which it was undertaken.

The Chief Minister said the complaints pointed to three main concerns: vehicles delivering lower mileage, motorists being unable to travel the distance they expected on a given quantity of fuel, and engines shutting down during travel.

He did not disclose the findings of the tests. The details of the inspection report and the government's proposed action were to be announced by the minister concerned, he said.

Who said what

Shivakumar said the government had taken serious note of complaints regarding 31.5 per cent ethanol being blended into petrol. He said the Centre had a responsibility to address the matter.

“The Centre cannot shirk responsibility on this matter. Vehicle performance, fuel quality, and public safety are paramount,” he said.

He said the ethanol blending ratio should not be raised merely because ethanol was available at a lower cost. Any decision that caused inconvenience to the public was unacceptable, he added.

Shivakumar also questioned the silence of BJP and JD(S) leaders, including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, on the issue. Political leaders should speak up on matters concerning the public interest, he said.

Background

The state government's action followed complaints from a large number of motorists about the performance of their vehicles. Shivakumar linked the complaints to higher ethanol blending in petrol.

The government examined the fuel supply chain, including blending and distribution, instead of limiting the inquiry to petrol pumps. It also sought documentary details on the process used to mix ethanol with petrol.

Why it matters for Assam and the Northeast

Shivakumar said the issue concerned fuel quality, vehicle performance and public safety. His remarks focused on the inconvenience reported by motorists and the need for the Centre to address concerns over ethanol-blended petrol.

He said the cost of ethanol could not be the sole basis for increasing the blending ratio if motorists faced problems with their vehicles.

What next

The minister concerned was scheduled to hold an official press conference on Monday to provide details of the inspection report and outline the next course of action, Shivakumar said.

He did not name the minister or specify what action the state government might take after the briefing.