Petroleum Minister meets Team Bharat on E20 concerns

On 29 July 2026, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met representatives of Team Bharat, the citizen group that organised Delhi’s first major street protest against mandatory E20 petrol.

Reports described a roughly four-hour discussion that also involved officials from related ministries. Organisers said the meeting was initially expected with ministry officials, but the minister himself joined — framed by them as rare early outreach before a planned street march.

Team Bharat’s reported asks included continued availability of E10 for vehicles designed for it, affordable E0 (unblended) petrol at pumps, a price differential favouring E20 if blending continues, public release of testing and policy documents, and solutions for pre-2023 vehicles. They have repeatedly said they are not seeking a total scrap of ethanol blending — only choice and transparency.

Puri reportedly asked the group to reconsider the 31 July Gaadi March while demands were examined. Within 24 hours, police action and a permission denial overtook that diplomatic track.