Kerala government orders fuel quality checks amid ethanol contamination concerns

The Kerala administration has initiated a precautionary measure to safeguard consumers from substandard fuel, ordering comprehensive checks on ethanol content at retail fuel outlets. The directive comes in response to documented cases of fuel contamination detected in other Indian states, where petrol stocks were found to contain ethanol levels beyond permissible limits.

The Civil Supplies Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating these inspections to verify compliance with fuel quality regulations across Kerala's petrol pumps and distribution networks. Officials will focus on detecting any anomalies in ethanol blending that could compromise vehicle performance or engine durability.

Excessive ethanol content in petrol can lead to engine damage and reduced fuel efficiency, posing concerns for vehicle owners. The inspections are designed to prevent similar quality breaches from occurring in Kerala's fuel supply chain.

The state government has emphasized the importance of maintaining adherence to fuel standards as set by regulatory authorities. Results from the inspection drive are expected to provide clarity on the current state of fuel quality across retail outlets in Kerala and inform any further corrective measures if necessary.