E20 Fuel Policy: Youth Congress Protest at Gadkari's Home in Nagpur, 30 Detained
On Monday, August 3, 2026, the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress staged a protest outside Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's residence in Nagpur district against the central government's ethanol-blended fuel (E20) policy. Demonstrators criticised the increased financial burden on vehicle owners, the impact on older vehicles, and what they called shortcomings in the policy's implementation.
The march, led by Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress chief Shivraj More, began at Chitnivis Park Square in Mahal and proceeded to Gadkari Wada at 1 p.m. Police had deployed barricades along the route near the Minister's residence. Several protesters attempted to climb over the barricades, leading to the detention of at least 30 Congress office bearers and party functionaries. The detainees were raising slogans against the 'unviability' of E20 fuel.
Speaking after the protest, Nagpur Congress Chief Praful Gudade said, "Several Congress workers were taken into custody. However, the fight is bigger. E20 is destroying vehicles. Secondly, the government, including Nitin Gadkari, promised E20 petrol at a lower price of around ₹50; then why is petrol still above ₹100? Let police detain, we will keep voicing the issue."
The E20-blended fuel, which mixes 20% ethanol with petrol, has drawn criticism from vehicle users who report reduced mileage, engine wear, and clogged injectors. Consumers have also expressed concerns that vehicles manufactured before 2023 may not be equipped to handle the higher ethanol blend.
The issue has taken a political turn, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress party criticising the central government over the policy. In Nagpur, Congress office bearers marched to Mr. Gadkari's residence, alleging that the Minister and his family profited from the E20 petrol policy. These allegations are part of a broader online campaign that Mr. Gadkari has contested.
Last week, Mr. Gadkari filed a civil suit in the Bombay High Court against social media platforms, including Meta, Google, and X, over what he described as "defamatory misinformation" related to the E20 fuel policy. The Minister has maintained that the policy was introduced after scientific testing and is aimed at reducing vehicular emissions and India's dependence on oil imports.
On Monday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh added to the criticism in a post on X, saying, "He claimed that the E-20 was rolled out after scientific testing of no vehicle damage, but consumers have complained of reduced mileage, engine performance issues, and viability of E20 petrol."
The protest highlights the growing public debate over the E20 policy, which the government has defended as a key step towards cleaner fuel and energy self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, the detained Congress workers were later released, according to local police. Further political and legal developments on the issue are awaited.
