New Delhi, July 4 -- Bhutan will not be importing E20 petrol from India anytime soon, the country's Department of Trade clarified last week, according to a local report.

The Bhutanese claimed that Indian Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have been offering to supply E20 petrol to Bhutan, but Bhutan has so far resisted.

The report flagged concerns raised by critics in India about vehicle breakdowns and reduced mileage.

It also cited the Department of Trade as saying that, unlike normal MS (petrol), ethanol-blended petrol contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, making it hygroscopic in nature, meaning it readily absorbs and mixes with water.

Once water contaminates ethanol-blended fuel, the water and fuel cannot be separated easily, which is like...