Jantar Mantar Protest Targets Ethanol Blending Policy, Activist Seeks Wider Public Consultation
New Delhi : A demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Sunday brought renewed focus to the Centre’s Ethanol Blending Programme, with speakers questioning how the policy is being rolled out for existing vehicles.
Activist Tahseen Poonawalla addressed the gathering and raised concerns over the absence of what he called broad public engagement before ethanol-blended petrol was introduced for regular commuter vehicles. He said private vehicles represent a major financial commitment for most households after housing, and that changes impacting their use should be introduced with greater transparency and technical clarity.
Poonawalla argued that any trials involving fuel composition and engine performance should first be carried out in controlled, monitored settings rather than directly on vehicles owned by citizens. He also pointed to the taxes vehicle owners pay and asked whether policy shifts of this nature can be made without a wider consultative process.
The Ethanol Blending Programme has been framed by the government as a measure to cut crude oil imports, reduce emissions, and boost farm incomes by expanding demand for ethanol feedstock. Officials have maintained that blended fuel meets Bureau of Indian Standards norms and that monitoring is ongoing.
Critics at the protest, however, flagged concerns around engine compatibility, mileage, maintenance costs, consumer choice, and long-term data on vehicle health. Supporters of the programme counter that ethanol blending is central to India’s energy security and climate goals.
The Jantar Mantar gathering underscored the continuing divide over the policy. While the government highlights environmental and economic benefits, sections of motorists and activists are pushing for independent studies, clearer disclosure on impacts, and more direct public consultation before further increases in blending levels.
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