THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Congress Party on Thursday demanded that the State government conduct a Goa-specific study on the impact of the Centre's mandatory 20 per cent ethanol blending (E20) policy on vehicles, boats and other engines before enforcing its implementation, alleging that the policy could adversely affect the State's transport, fisheries and tourism sectors.
Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Working President Sunil Kawthankar urged the BJP-led State government to seek a detailed assessment of E20's impact in Goa's humid coastal conditions and defer its implementation until the findings are available. He also asked the State government to respond to what he termed the Centre's failure to fulfil its promise that ethanol blending would lead to lower petrol prices.
Kawthankar claimed the Centre's own study had found a 3-5 per cent drop in fuel efficiency in vehicles not tuned for E20 and a 1-2 per cent decline even in vehicles manufactured after 2023. Citing an independent survey, he alleged that 66 per cent of post-2023 vehicles experienced a mileage reduction of more than 10 per cent, resulting in an average additional fuel expense of around Rs 7,000 annually.
He further alleged that ethanol attracts moisture in Goa's humid tropical climate, causing corrosion of vehicle and boat engine components, increasing maintenance costs, reducing resale value and leading to higher insurance claims and premiums.
Kawthankar said the policy would have a greater impact in Goa, particularly on taxi operators, motorcycle pilots, auto-rickshaw drivers, water sports operators and traditional fishermen using outboard motor vessels. Describing the E20 rollout as "government-sponsored adulteration", he questioned the Centre's claim that ethanol blending would significantly reduce pollution and called for a scientific evaluation.
“This adulteration attracts criminal action,” he said.
