Not just Delhi NCR, but many cities in India—such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and others, are facing severe air pollution. Experts have termed it an air emergency for Delhi NCR, with vehicular emissions as the primary contributor.
Delhi, the capital city, consistently suffers from poor air quality throughout the year. While crop burning is often blamed, especially in winter, vehicular emissions remain the main cause of pollution year-round.
ChiniMandi spoke with Siddhartha Mandal, a Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi, who shared startling facts.
He explained that Delhi NCR’s air quality is poor not only during October-November but also during other months. The annual average PM2.5 levels are nearly 100 µg/m³, well above the national standard of 40 µg/m³. Other pollutants, including black carbon and nitrogen dioxide, also contribute.
Air pollution has tremendous health and economic impacts. Mandal noted that short-term effects mainly involve respiratory and eye issues. Fine particles can cause lung inflammation and worsen existing respiratory conditions. Long-term exposure influences systemic inflammation and the autonomic nervous system, affecting cardiovascular and metabolic health.
So, what is the solution?
A clear and obvious solution lies in reducing vehicular emissions.
The Union Government has introduced multiple policies targeting vehicular pollution and promoting domestic sources of green fuel. One such initiative is the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
Started in 2001, the EBP faced several hurdles, causing delays. It was renewed in 2014 and, by August 2025, has saved ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange through reduced crude oil imports and decreased CO₂ emissions by approximately 736 lakh metric tonnes (according to Government of India data).
India achieved 20% ethanol blending with petrol nearly five years ahead of schedule. Producers from molasses- and grain-based distilleries are now looking forward to a further target of 27% blending.
Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has been a strong supporter of ethanol fuel. He also aims to transition to greener diesel alternatives with the use of Isobutanol.
Despite these advancements, EBP faces harsh criticism from citizens, with social media posts claiming ethanol reduces mileage and damages engines.
However, these claims are not scientifically proven.
The benefits of ethanol blending are numerous. Brazil offers a notable example. In an interview with ChiniMandi, the Brazilian Ambassador to India, H.E. Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega, explained that innovations like Flex-Fuel Vehicles and supportive government policies have led to significant CO₂ emission reductions.
Over 40 million FFVs have been produced, replacing billions of barrels of gasoline. He added, “Between 1975 and 2021, ethanol has replaced about 3.45 billion barrels of gasoline. The Greenhouse Effect is caused by the accumulated gases. It is safe to say that Brazil has nearly halted CO₂ emissions amounting to 786 million tonnes since the 2000s, which is a remarkable achievement.”
In India, EBP not only saves foreign exchange and reduces pollution, but also provides income for sugarcane farmers and their families. Furthermore, the notion that ethanol is harmful to vehicles is unfounded. Scientific evidence shows that E20 petrol causes only a modest 2–3% reduction in mileage, rather than the often claimed 30–35%. Its higher oxygen content improves combustion and cuts emissions, making it cleaner than pure petrol.
Ethanol does not damage engines; at worst, it may slightly shorten the lifespan of some rubber or plastic parts, which are inexpensive to replace. With a high octane rating of 107, ethanol enhances fuel quality and engine performance without harmful chemicals.
As some consumers feel that ethanol blended fuel limits their choices at retail outlets, it is important to look at this transition from fossil fuel to green fuel, through the lens of mandatory and collective national building and passing on a cleaner and healthier country to the next generation.
This is not a choice anymore, EBP is the path to reach the ultimate goalpost of net zero emission. Every citizen has an equal role to play in achieving this.
For further inquiries or to contact Uppal Shah, Editor-in-Chief, please send an email to Uppal@chinimandi.com.
