Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 24: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will address a town hall on the E20 petrol policy during his two-day visit to Goa, where the party has launched a campaign against what it calls the “forced implementation” of ethanol-blended fuel.
Kejriwal arrived at Dabolim Airport in south Goa on Sunday and was received by local AAP leaders.
According to party sources, Kejriwal will address a press conference in Panaji on Monday, followed by the town hall on E20 petrol policy on Tuesday.
The AAP, which has two MLAs in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly, has announced a campaign opposing the compulsory use of E20 fuel in the coastal state, which is scheduled to go to the polls in 2027.
Earlier this month, Kejriwal demanded that motorists be given the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel stations.
E20 is a blend containing 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. The Centre introduced the fuel as part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and cut India's dependence on imported crude oil. Following a phased rollout, E20 became the only petrol variant available at fuel stations across the country from April 2026.
The nationwide rollout has triggered concerns among some vehicle owners, with motorists reporting reduced engine performance and apprehensions about possible damage to fuel lines and other vehicle components.
Owners of older vehicles have particularly sought the availability of lower ethanol blends such as E10, as many older models may not have been designed to run on higher ethanol concentrations.
However, industry executives have sought to allay concerns over E20, saying the fuel has undergone rigorous scientific testing and is safe for both new and older vehicles. They have also maintained that greater use of ethanol-blended petrol is important for reducing India's dependence on imported crude oil.
Kejriwal's Goa visit comes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and is expected to focus attention on the AAP's campaign against the mandatory use of E20 petrol in the state.