Kerala to test petrol for excess ethanol mixing today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will conduct inspections at petrol pumps across Kerala on Monday to check whether excess ethanol is being mixed with petrol supplied in the state.

The inspections will cover five petrol pumps each in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Six samples will be collected from each pump for testing. Strict action will be taken if the ethanol content is found to be higher than the permitted limit. The issue will also be raised at the Central government level.

Officials have been given special training to measure ethanol content in petrol. Minister Anoop Jacob ordered the inspections following a discussion with the Chief Minister.

The decision comes after reports from Karnataka claimed that petrol sold in the state contained 26 to 31 per cent ethanol. However, petroleum companies have rejected the findings of the inspections conducted in Karnataka.

Ethanol content in petrol to be increased gradually: Suresh Gopi

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi has said that the ethanol content in petrol will be increased further in the coming years.

The currently approved limit is 20 per cent, but the proportion will be raised gradually, he said. Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, Suresh Gopi said the increase would be based on scientific studies and assessments.

He said the governments in Karnataka and Kerala were free to conduct inspections and that there was a scientific basis for such checks. He also warned against politicising the issue, saying that those attempting to create divisions for political reasons would eventually have to face the consequences.