Ram Mohan Naidu clears the air on ethanol blending with ATF claim, says no such proposal exists: ‘Completely false’

Ram Mohan Naidu Clears Air on Ethanol-ATF Blending Claim

Theindiapostdaily.com – Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Thursday firmly rejected circulating claims that the government is planning to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), describing the allegations as “completely false and irresponsible.” The minister’s clarification came after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared a social media post citing a media report on the matter, raising concerns over the safety of using what he termed “adulterated aviation fuel.” Read more on Livemint for comprehensive coverage of this developing story.

Ram Mohan Naidu clears the air on the controversy by taking to X and clarifying that there is no proposal to mix ethanol with ATF. He stressed that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are two distinct types of fuel with different applications and certification standards. “The claim that the Government plans to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is completely false and irresponsible. There is no such proposal,” Naidu stated, adding, “Ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different and should not be conflated.”

SAF vs Ethanol: Understanding the Difference

Minister Naidu elaborated on the technical distinctions between the two fuel types. “SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted globally. It undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent global safety standards,” he added. Kinjarapu also warned against spreading misinformation related to aviation safety, saying such claims create unnecessary anxiety among air travellers. “Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government’s highest priority,” he concluded.

Political Backlash and Public Debate

Quoting the report, Kejriwal alleged, “Read this article. The engine of ur flight just might stop in the air. Will u risk flying in an aircraft running on adulterated aviation fuel? Time to have an educated and competent govt.” Claiming that the government was also planning to introduce ethanol blending in diesel, Kejriwal urged people to refrain from buying new petrol and diesel vehicles for the time being. Kejriwal alleged that the government intended to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond 50% after introducing E20 fuel.

Criticising Kejriwal, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) IT department head Amit Malviya accused him of spreading “fake news” and creating unnecessary “panic”, calling it his “old habit.” He maintained that the Centre has made it clear that there is no decision to increase ethanol blending beyond E20. E20 fuel, a blend containing 80% petrol and 20% ethanol, has become a key part of the country’s evolving retail fuel strategy. Explore more automotive news on fuel policies and developments.

Kejriwal called on Malviya to make public any study carried out before the rollout of E20 petrol. Responding in another post on X, Malviya said Kejriwal’s claims were driven not by facts but “fear”. He said the government had already clarified that no decision had been taken to increase ethanol blending beyond E20, adding that “raising a debate on some imaginary E50 is nothing but politics of spreading fear”.

Rejecting the AAP leader’s allegations, Malviya said it was incorrect to claim that E20 had been introduced “without any scientific study”. In a separate post on X, he said the country’s ethanol blending programme had been implemented in phases over more than two decades and that E20 was not a rushed decision. Malviya added that extensive testing and consultations with all relevant stakeholders had been carried out before the implementation of E20 fuel.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has slammed the government’s push for E20 petrol, alleging that the ethanol-blended fuel is harming vehicle owners. On 4 August, the Delhi Police barred Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, along with around 100 supporters, from marching to the Prime Minister’s residence to submit more than 2.30 lakh petitions opposing E20 petrol. The party members later staged a protest on Firoz Shah Road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between ethanol and SAF? A: Ethanol is a biofuel primarily used in road vehicles, while SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is specifically certified for aviation use by ICAO and meets global safety standards for aircraft engines.

Q: Is there any proposal to blend ethanol with ATF? A: No, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has confirmed that there is no such proposal. The claim is completely false according to official government sources.

Q: What is E20 fuel? A: E20 fuel is a blend containing 80% petrol and 20% ethanol. It has been implemented in phases over more than two decades as part of India’s fuel strategy.

Q: Has the government decided to increase ethanol blending beyond E20? A: No, the Centre has made it clear that there is no decision to increase ethanol blending beyond E20 at this time.

Q: What did Kejriwal allege about E20 fuel? A: Kejriwal alleged that E20 was introduced without scientific study and claimed the government planned to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond 50%.