Mixed fuel of petrol, kerosene causes pollution in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: With petrol prices skyrocketing, there is a growing trend of using adulterated oil, especially by auto drivers who are mixing kerosene in petrol and diesel. It is showing severe effect on environment and contributing global warming. The drivers who run vehicles on contract are using adulterated fuel as they are not concerned about the vehicle engines getting damaged.

"Adulteration of fuel has turned out an alternative for us to escape from high pricing of petrol and diesel. We have no option but to adulterate petrol. In fact, it damages our vehicular engines too, but to save at least Rs 50 in a day, we are forced to do this. Considering the worst situation, we request the government to bring down the fuel prices," says an auto rickshaw union leader on condition of anonymity.

"As many as 1,433 violations of vehicular pollution were reported in 2020. New year has already seen 17 violations. The increasing count of vehicular pollution cases, including violation of pollution norms such as without PUC and smoke emission, attracted around 1,500 challans within the limits of Cyberabad and we urge citizens not to use adulterated fuel as it causes damage to the environment and leads to vehicular emission," says Vijay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad.

Bhaskar, a traffic police officer at Punjagutta, says, "At least three cases are being filed every day and accused are being sent to court for causing vehicular emission. Mostly auto-rickshaws are caught as they mix kerosene in petrol. We are warning them not to do it anymore, but we still see drivers flouting rules as they are fed up with petrol price hike and trying to find alternatives."

"The vehicular emission is happening on a large scale in the city as the citizens started using adulterated fuels. The price hike of petrol and the difference between different fuel prices may be the main reason behind the fuel adulteration, but it must be completely eradicated as it is leading to global warming," said D Prasad, Environmental Scientist (Air), TSPCB.

"Compared with vehicular emission from the pure fuel and adulterated fuel, on an average 60 per cent of high fuel emission is reported from adulterated fuel usage. Fuel adulteration increases emissions of total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and respirable particulate matter, which cause air pollution. Moreover, the levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM) increased along with the increase in the fraction of kerosene in petrol," he added. Meanwhile, at a few other cases, motorists are purchasing fuel on the roadside when they run out of fuel, and it could be adulterated.

How to find if petrol is pure?

Put a few drops of petrol on the filter paper, if the petrol is pure, it will evaporate without leaving any stain. But, if petrol is adulterated, it will leave some stains on the paper.