Kolkata: Claims and allegations by a section of motorists that E20 fuel is damaging vehicles and reducing mileage dominated a townhall held in Kolkata on Saturday, with car and two-wheeler owners demanding that ethanol-blended petrol be made optional.Around 200 vehicle owners from different parts of Bengal gathered at Sahid Surya Sen Bhavan in Jodhpur Park for the “Bengal Townhall”, alleging that the “forced” use of E20 petrol was affecting vehicles, particularly those manufactured before 2023. They claimed the blended fuel was causing a 10% to 20% drop in mileage and damaging vehicle components.Sourav Ghosh, a businessman from Dhakuria, alleged that he had seen a 20% drop in fuel efficiency in his two cars and bike. “Why is E20 fuel being forced on us? Besides the mileage drop, it is damaging parts of my vehicles, which were bought before 2018,” he said.The participants claimed that while E20 fuel may be compatible with newer vehicles, it posed risks to older ones. Sumit Kumar Saha, a Bally resident and assistant professor at Bankura Unnayani Institute of Engineering, alleged that his sedan’s servicing cost had recently risen to Rs 23,000 from the usual Rs 8,000. “Mechanics told me the blended fuel had damaged some parts, including rubber components in the fuel tank. It seems the E20 policy has been introduced to compel motorists to buy new cars and discard existing ones that are not compatible with this fuel,” he said, adding that his car’s mileage had dropped by around 10%.The event was organised by supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party in Bengal, a week after AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal led a townhall protest in Delhi against the implementation of the E20 policy. The programme in Kolkata was held in line with Kejriwal’s call for public mobilisation on the issue.Organisers said they would intensify protests if the Centre did not roll back the policy or make E20 optional. Rohan Dam, a teacher at a private coaching centre in Naihati, alleged that parts of his bike were decaying because of the blended fuel. “Unblended fuel is so expensive that I cannot sustain its use. When many people are flagging issues, we request the Centre to act and make E20 optional,” he said.Last month, members of the Indian Oil Dealers’ Forum said at a news conference in Kolkata that E20 fuel was safe and urged motorists not to panic, though they acknowledged that it could lead to a mileage drop of 3% to 4%.
