Kejriwal to address town hall on E20 petrol policy during Goa visit

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal will address a town hall on E20 petrol policy during his two-day visit to Goa beginning Monday.

Kejriwal landed at Dabolim Airport in south Goa on Sunday, where he was received by local party leaders.

AAP sources said Kejriwal would address a press conference on Monday in Panaji and a town hall a day later on E20 petrol policy.

The AAP, which has two MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly, has announced a campaign against the "forced implementation" of E20 (ethanol-blended) fuel in the coastal state, which will go to polls in 2027.

Earlier this month, Kejriwal had demanded the government give the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel pumps.

The Centre introduced E20, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol, as part of efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and cut dependence on crude oil imports. After a phased rollout, E20 became the only petrol variant available at fuel pumps across the country from April 2026.

The move has triggered concerns among some vehicle owners, with motorists reporting reduced engine performance and apprehensions about damage to fuel lines and other components. Owners of older vehicles, many of which may not have been designed for high ethanol blends, have been seeking availability of lower blends such as E10.

Industry executives had sought to allay concerns over the use of E20 petrol, saying the fuel has undergone rigorous scientific testing, is safe for both new and older vehicles, and is critical for reducing India's dependence on imported crude oil.