Further reinforcing its surveillance mechanism, HPCL’s quality assurance cell conducted 93 surprise inspections, while 49 fuel samples were tested using mobile laboratory facilities.
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL), the state‑owned fuel retailer, has said it has further strengthened its nationwide fuel quality surveillance programme through extensive inspections and testing of ethanol‑blended petrol across its pan‑India retail outlet network.
Between July 7-13, 2026, HPCL field officers conducted 2,173 surprise inspections at retail outlets to verify ethanol blending compliance. Additionally, 1,385 regular inspections were carried out across the retail network during ten days from July 3-13, as part of HPCL’s ongoing quality monitoring programme.
“HPCL follows a robust multi‑layer quality assurance system that includes regular field inspections, surprise checks, laboratory testing, and continuous monitoring to ensure that fuels supplied through its retail outlets conform to prescribed quality specifications,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Further reinforcing the surveillance mechanism, HPCL’s quality assurance cell to prevent adulteration carried out 93 surprise inspections, while 49 fuel samples were tested using mobile laboratory facilities. The comprehensive surveillance programme found no instances of adulteration, contamination, critical irregularities, or quality compliance lapses across the retail network during the reporting period.
India currently adds 20 per cent ethanol in petrol fuels, as part of its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and dependence on imported crude oil. In the recent past, several users have complained of the ethanol mix affecting automobile performance, including reduced mileage. The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has repeatedly assured that the programme has no impact on engine performance.