Goa, July 8 -- Union Minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has strongly defended the government's rollout of E20 petrol, challenging critics to identify a single vehicle that has experienced problems because of the 20% ethanol-blended fuel. Addressing the Viksit Bharat Conclave, Gadkari dismissed claims that E20 reduces vehicle performance or fuel efficiency, calling them "false narratives" driven by paid campaigns.

The minister said India has successfully achieved 20% ethanol blending in petrol using ethanol produced from biomass such as sugarcane, corn and rice. According to Gadkari, the initiative is a key step towards reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil, which currently costs India nearly Rs.22 la...