(ET)
Delhi will run out of environment-friendly ethanol supplies for blending with petrol in the next few days as the capital’s local government is not allowing oil firms to store adequate quantities, raising the risk of vehicular emissions in an already-polluted capital.
Delhi has experienced severe air pollution spells this year with thick smog covering the city because of fumes from agricultural fires along with industrial and vehicular pollution, that has taken air quality to hazardous levels, which puts the health of citizens at risk.
Blending ethanol in petrol is considered a measure that could partly help curb air pollution. State oil companies blend 10% ethanol in petrol in Delhi — blending percentage differs based on the biofuel’s availability. India has officially mandated fuel retailers to blend ethanol to cut emissions and reduce dependence on import of fossil fuel.
