SHILLONG, June 16: While New Delhi pushes for a greener footprint, Shillong’s motorists are footing the bill as 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) reportedly eats into vehicle mileage and engine health across the Khasi Hills.
For local taxi drivers manoeuvring the steep gradients of the city, the transition to E20 has become a survival issue rather than an environmental one. At the taxi stands near the Assembly, the consensus is one of frustration. Drivers report a 15% to 20% drop in mileage, noting that vehicles often struggle or stall on climbs toward Upper Shillong—a direct hit to their daily earnings.
While petrol pump owners in the city confirm that E20 has been the standard supply for nearly a year and claim a lack of “formal complaints,” the reality in local workshops is different. Mechanics in Mawlai and Demseiniong report a spike in maintenance issues, pointing to fouled spark plugs and clogged fuel filters. They suggest the ethanol blend, which absorbs moisture more readily, is particularly ill-suited for Shillong’s humid, high-altitude environment.
The growing grievance highlights a sharp disconnect between the Centre’s “Green Fuel” agenda and the ground reality in the Northeast. Despite the local outcry, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari remained silent on the impact of ethanol blending during his recent visit to the state capital.
While the ethanol programme aims to reduce dependence on imported crude and lower carbon emissions, for Shillong’s middle class and commercial drivers, the policy currently translates to higher fuel consumption and mounting repair bills. As the Centre pushes forward with its “Act East” rhetoric, the specific mechanical and financial challenges faced by hill-terrain motorists remain unaddressed.
