Nitin Gadkari defends E20 petrol and announces Bihar road projects

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has dismissed concerns regarding vehicle damage caused by E20 ethanol-blended petrol. Speaking at the Bihar Investor Summit 2026, Gadkari stated that approximately 40 million vehicles, including 40 million cars and 200 million two-wheelers, have been operating on ethanol-blended fuel since 2022 without reported engine damage.

Gadkari emphasized that ethanol blending aims to link agriculture with the energy sector, increasing farmer income. He noted that ethanol production from maize has already generated an additional ₹45,000 crore for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. While the Petroleum Ministry confirmed E20 is safe under set standards, it noted that mileage might decrease by 2% to 6% depending on the vehicle model.

In addition to fuel policies, Gadkari announced a major infrastructure push for Bihar, with road projects exceeding ₹3 lakh crore planned to enhance connectivity. This includes the proposed 245-kilometer Patna-Purnia Expressway, which is expected to receive central cabinet approval soon to improve transport and economic activity in the region.