Protest March Against Ethanol-Blended Petrol Policy Planned by Delhi Taxi Association

The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport and Tour Operators Association has announced a protest march to Parliament on August 4, opposing the ethanol-blended petrol policy. This announcement follows recent protests by the CJP regarding the NEET paper leak controversy. In a conversation with a news media outlet, the association's president, Sanjay Samrat, warned that ethanol petrol could lead to vehicle malfunctions across the country. He highlighted that millions of motorcycles, private cars, and taxis running on CNG and petrol in various regions could become unusable due to the switch to ethanol fuel.

 

Samrat expressed his frustration over rising fuel prices and criticized the decision to mix 20% ethanol into petrol. He referred to it as 'sugarcane juice' and stated that it leaves citizens feeling cheated. He remarked that since Nitin Gadkari became the Transport Minister, they have faced numerous challenges, claiming they have been struggling for over a decade. Their concerns, he noted, have been consistently overlooked. He added that previously they suffered economic and mental distress, and now they have found a way to disturb their peace of mind.

 

He further explained that the 'sugarcane juice' being passed off as ethanol will eventually damage their vehicles, but it also disturbs their mental state. When visiting petrol stations, they feel deceived; when purchasing ₹100 worth of petrol, they receive 20% ethanol in the name of sugarcane juice, which immediately frustrates them. They feel as though they are not living in a free India; it seems as if they have entered another country, or that a foreign government is ruling over them instead of their own.

 

He continued by stating that there are millions of bikes, private cars, and taxis in their constituencies that operate on both CNG and petrol. Therefore, there is a risk of these vehicles becoming scrap; a conspiracy seems to be underway to render them useless, and there is no hesitation in this regard. He insisted that apart from Mr. Gadkari, the remaining 542 members of Parliament should oppose this policy. The association has demanded the complete removal of the ethanol policy from the country. Separately, the government informed Parliament on Monday that no assessment has been made regarding the compatibility of vehicles with E20 fuel in India. Suresh Gopi, the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, confirmed in response to a parliamentary question that no such evaluation exists.

 

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