Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme : Challenges faced by the Government
Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme : Challenges faced by the Government
The Government has allowed ethanol production/procurement from sugarcane-based raw materials viz.C&B heavy molasses,sugarcane juice and surplus
rice with Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Challenges in Ethanol Blending Programme
Some of the challenges are dicussed below:
*Availability of sufficient feedstock on a sustainable basis
Ethanol is produced from sugarcane,sugar,molasses,maize,rice and damaged foodgrains unfit for human consumption.
However,there is a issue of diverting foodgrains from human consumption to ethanol production when hunger and malnutrition is faced by many people in
the country.
*Uncertainty of Price
Prices of both ethanol and sugarcane are fixed by the government leading to concerns among investors .
*Availability of Ethanol
Ethanol is not equally available everywhere and this leads to an increase in transportation and logistics costs.Also,handling
and storage of ethanol is highly risky.
*Enivronmental clearances
Currently,ethanol production plants/distilleries falls under the "Red Category" and require environmental clearance under the Air and Water Acts for new and expansion projects.
*Vehicle manufacturers must work with vendors to develop automobile parts compatible with ethanol and should work on engine optimisation for higher ethanol blends.
