Operation Nikhar Reveals Petrol Samples Exceed E20 Ethanol Limit in Karnataka

Karnataka’s “Operation Nikhar” has uncovered a widespread deviation from the prescribed E20 fuel standard, according to a detailed report released by the state’s consumer affairs ministry.

The operation, overseen by Minister Rizwan Arshad, dispatched sample‑taking teams to more than twenty‑nine petrol stations across the state, covering Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramnagar, Manglur, Tumkur and several other districts.

Each sample was sent to a NABL‑recognized laboratory for analysis. Laboratory results consistently showed ethanol content that exceeded the 20 % ceiling set by national fuel regulations.

Arshad stressed that the blending process for ethanol is fully automated, suggesting that any discrepancy must stem from the oil companies’ central blending facilities rather than from local pump operators. He rejected the notion that individual stations could independently modify the blend.

The minister criticized the three leading public oil marketers for focusing on procedural details instead of admitting the core issue – the actual volume of ethanol mixed into the petrol. He warned that if the central government does not act with equal urgency, consumer trust in fuel quality could erode.

In his statement, Arshad also mentioned that high‑performance engines, including those in premium BMW models, have flagged incompatibility with the current ethanol levels, raising concerns for ordinary two‑wheelers and middle‑class cars alike.

The Karnataka government has pledged to keep pressure on the oil corporations, demand legal compliance, and continue monitoring fuel quality to safeguard motorists across the state.