Kerala Government Takes Major Decision Over Ethanol Content in Petrol

The Kerala government has stepped up monitoring of petrol pumps following complaints that excessive ethanol content in fuel could be damaging vehicle engines. Responding to the concerns, the government has directed officials to conduct surprise inspections and collect fuel samples for testing. The move comes after reports from Karnataka indicated that ethanol content in petrol samples had reached as high as 31.2%. Taking note of the findings, Kerala has initiated sample collection in four districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur.

Officials will examine the collected samples to determine their ethanol content. The government has reportedly ordered strict action against petrol pumps found selling fuel with ethanol content exceeding 20%. Such outlets may face closure, while those responsible could be prosecuted. The inspections aim to ensure fuel quality, address motorists' complaints and prevent irregularities in petrol sales across the state.