Ethanol-blending programme on a pilot basis in Belgaum

The government has initiated ten per cent ethanol-blending programme on a pilot basis in two districts - Belgaum in Karnataka and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.

Initiated about a month ago, will continue till June 2009, said informed sources. The purpose behind this pilot initiative is to study the impact of ten per cent blending on two-wheelers before introducing it commercially. Domestic oil marketing companies (OMCs) are keen to continue biofuel blending programmes even after the recent crash in crude oil prices. Blending of ethanol, they say, is necessary from the viewpoint of import substitution in crude oil.

Source: Business Standard