India’s push for 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20), introduced nationwide ahead of schedule in 2025, has once again become the centre of public debate after a senior oil company executive’s comments on ethanol mileage sparked controversy. At the same time, questions are also being raised over the condition of the recently inaugurated Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, with critics demanding greater accountability over its construction quality.
The latest discussion began after a video of a senior BPCL executive, Anurag Sarawgi, surfaced online. In the clip, he spoke about ethanol having lower energy content than petrol, leading to claims about reduced fuel efficiency. Social media users alleged that one of his statements regarding mileage was later removed from an ANI social media post, triggering further debate over whether the discussion was being influenced by industry interests.
Soon after, BPCL clarified that while ethanol contains less energy than conventional petrol, the approved E20 fuel does not adversely affect vehicle performance when used in compatible vehicles. Government officials have also maintained that ethanol blending helps reduce crude oil imports, lowers emissions, and supports India’s farmers. However, some motorists continue to express concerns about mileage and long-term vehicle performance, particularly in older vehicles not originally designed for higher ethanol blends.
The discussion has also expanded to infrastructure after reports of cracks, leaking joints, and potholes appearing on sections of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. The 210-km expressway, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2026, was built at a cost of around ₹12,000 crore and significantly reduced travel time between Delhi and Dehradun.
Photos and videos showing damaged portions of the newly opened expressway have circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism over construction quality and project supervision. Several users have questioned whether proper quality checks were carried out before the highway was opened and have asked whether contractors will be held accountable under the project’s defect liability provisions.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has previously rejected allegations that ethanol-blended fuel damages vehicle engines, describing such claims as misleading. Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has reportedly initiated repair work on affected sections of the expressway under warranty provisions.
As discussions continue online, both the ethanol policy and the condition of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway have become subjects of wider public debate, with many calling for greater transparency, independent technical assessments, and accountability wherever public infrastructure or consumer interests are involved.