Nitin Gadkari Interview
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has addressed growing concerns around E20 petrol, responding to questions about reduced mileage, vehicle damage claims and the rollout of ethanol-blended fuel during a recent interview with ABP Live journalist Megha Prasad.
Nitin Gadkari On E20 Petrol Row
One of the key topics discussed was whether E20 petrol results in lower fuel efficiency. Gadkari said ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol, which naturally creates a difference in mileage. However, he explained that the impact is generally less noticeable in city driving and may be more evident during sustained highway runs.
Responding to claims that he had only recently accepted this fact, Gadkari said he has consistently maintained that petrol and ethanol have different calorific values and that the issue is technical in nature. The discussion also touched upon reports from vehicle owners claiming reduced mileage, fuel pump failures and other issues after switching to E20 petrol. Gadkari said such complaints should first be verified by authorised dealerships before concluding that ethanol is responsible.
Asks Owners To Register Complaints
He urged owners facing problems to register complaints with their vehicle manufacturers and also submit details through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways website for further investigation. According to him, the ministry has not received any verified complaint establishing ethanol as the cause of vehicle damage.
Questions were also raised about an ARAI report that reportedly mentions reduced mileage and possible deterioration of fuel system components in older E10-compatible vehicles running on E20 fuel. Gadkari denied that the report was being hidden, saying such technical reports are shared with government departments and the automotive industry, and can also be accessed through the RTI process.
Explaining the government’s push towards E20, Gadkari said the programme is aimed at reducing India’s Rs 22 lakh crore annual petroleum import bill, lowering emissions and improving farmer incomes through higher ethanol production. He added that vehicle manufacturers conduct extensive testing before approving vehicles for ethanol-blended fuels.
The interview also covered petrol prices, with Gadkari clarifying that fuel pricing and ethanol blending policy fall under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. While supporting Brazil’s model of offering multiple fuel choices at fuel stations, he said such decisions are outside the scope of his ministry.
Gadkari Answers Key Questions – Family Business, Road Condition After First Rain
When questioned about allegations linking his family’s business interests to ethanol, Gadkari rejected the claims, saying ethanol contributes less than 10 percent of his family’s business turnover and warning that false allegations could invite defamation action.
Towards the end of the interview, Gadkari acknowledged that potholes had appeared on a section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway following heavy rains. He attributed the issue to an incomplete drainage connection caused by pending land acquisition and said the affected stretch was repaired after the problem was identified.
Addressing consumers directly, Gadkari advised vehicle owners experiencing mileage or performance issues to get their vehicles inspected at authorised service centres. If a genuine fault related to ethanol is established, he said manufacturers are responsible for addressing it under applicable warranty provisions.
Key Questions & Answers From Nitin Gadkari’s Interview
Q. Does E20 petrol reduce mileage?
A: Gadkari said ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol, which means mileage can differ. According to him, the impact is more noticeable during highway driving, while city driving may not show a significant difference.
Q. What should owners do if they suspect E20 has reduced their vehicle’s mileage?
A: He advised owners to first get the vehicle checked at an authorised dealership. If a genuine issue is found, they should register a complaint with the manufacturer and also submit it to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through its website.
Q. Has the government received complaints about E20 damaging vehicles?
A: Gadkari said his ministry has not received a single verified complaint proving that ethanol-blended petrol has caused vehicle damage.
Q. Why was E20 introduced earlier than originally planned?
A: He said higher ethanol availability allowed India to accelerate the rollout. The objective was to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and improve farmer incomes.
Q. Why hasn’t the ARAI report on E20 been made public?
A: Gadkari said the report has not been hidden and is shared with government departments and the automotive industry. He added that such reports can also be sought through the RTI process.
Q. Why haven’t petrol prices reduced despite ethanol blending?
A: Gadkari clarified that petrol pricing and blending policy are handled by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, not the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Q. Can E20 damage older vehicles?
A: Gadkari said manufacturers extensively test vehicles before approving ethanol-blended fuels. He maintained that any claim of damage should be technically verified through authorised service centres before linking it to E20 petrol.
Q. What did Gadkari say about allegations involving his family’s business?
A: He rejected claims that his family’s business has significantly benefited from ethanol, saying ethanol contributes less than 10 percent of the group’s turnover. He also warned that false allegations could lead to defamation action.
Q. Why did potholes appear on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway?
A: Gadkari said the issue was caused by an incomplete drainage connection due to pending land acquisition. Heavy rainfall led to water accumulation, after which the affected section was repaired.
Q. Did Gadkari say people should have been informed about E20 petrol?
A: Yes. Towards the end of the interview, he acknowledged that the public could have been better informed that E20 petrol was being supplied, while adding that government notifications and cabinet decisions had already been publicly announced.