GEMA defends ethanol blending policy

The Steel Manufacturers Association (GEMA), led by President Chandra Kumar Jain, dismissed concerns that ethanol-blended petrol damages vehicle engines, stating the government's policy was based on four years of research and expert consultations. Jain asserted that no engine failures have been observed even in older vehicles, and that factors like traffic and driving habits also affect fuel efficiency. India's ethanol production capacity stands at 1,800 crore litres against consumption of 1,200 crore litres, with a focus on improving plant efficiency. The rollout of E85 fuel is expected gradually over the next few years as infrastructure develops.