E20 Fuel Row: Why Delhi Transport Bodies Are Marching To Parliament On August 4

A month after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ended its protest following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Delhi is set to witness another agitation, with several transport bodies announcing a protest march to Parliament on August 4 against ethanol-blended petrol.

The march has been called by the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, along with other transport organisations.

Sanjay Samrat, president of the Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association, said, "We are planning to hold a protest march to Parliament on August 4 against ethanol-blended petrol, demanding its withdrawal. We want to give a wake-up call to the members of parliament who are sleeping till now on this issue, as the problems in vehicles from the ethanol blending are coming from across the country."

"We do not want to make this a political issue and are not associated with any 'E-20 Janta Party' or Cockroach Janta Party or any other political party," Samrat added, referring to the online campaign against E20 fuel, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol.

Harish Sabharwal, national president of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), said the protest is against the government's decision to make E20 fuel the only petrol option available to consumers.

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"We have said that ethanol-blended petrol should not be forced upon commuters; there should be a choice. Currently there is no option being given. We are supporting the protest march to Parliament; there is no call for any strike given by the association as of now," he said.

Rajender Kapoor, president of the All India Motor & Goods Transport Association, said, "This is a major issue; this is damaging vehicles. We hope the government makes E20 blended petrol a choice for commuters."

The announcement comes days after the launch of the 'E-20 Janata Party', an online movement modelled on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The campaign has gained traction on social media platforms, including Instagram and X, over concerns surrounding ethanol-blended fuel.

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The E20 ethanol-blending policy has sparked widespread debate, with critics claiming it reduces vehicle mileage, accelerates engine wear, and raises questions over possible conflicts of interest.

The government, however, has defended the policy, saying there are no immediate plans to increase ethanol blending beyond 20 per cent. It maintains that E20 fuel is safe for compatible vehicles, environmentally cleaner, and supports India's farmers while reducing dependence on imported crude oil.