New Delhi: Amid rumours circulating on social media over the quality of petrol and diesel, the Union Government has clarified that there is no evidence of widespread fuel contamination and that stringent quality control measures remain in place across the country.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) routinely monitor fuel quality through a multi-layered testing system designed to ensure consumers receive fuel that complies with national standards. The ministry added that surveillance has been intensified with water ingress checks now being conducted several times a day at more than 87,000 fuel retail outlets nationwide.
The ministry also shared the findings of a recent quality assessment in which over 2,000 fuel samples were screened for chloride and sulphide contamination. Only two outlets were found to have chloride contamination, prompting an immediate suspension of fuel sales at those locations while corrective measures were undertaken.
Officials said the government follows a zero-tolerance approach towards fuel adulteration and warned that strict action would be taken against any retail outlet found violating quality norms. Oil Marketing Companies have also been instructed to strengthen oversight throughout the fuel storage, transportation, and distribution network to prevent contamination before fuel reaches consumers.
Calling the viral claims misleading, the ministry urged citizens to verify information through official channels rather than relying on unconfirmed social media posts. It reiterated that continuous monitoring and regular inspections remain central to safeguarding fuel quality across India’s retail network.
