India's Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, has dismissed recent claims suggesting a government plan to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). The minister took to social media platform X to clarify the government's position, stating that such proposals are "completely false and irresponsible."

Minister Naidu explicitly differentiated between ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), emphasising that there is no existing proposal to mix ethanol with jet fuel. His statement directly addressed and refuted claims made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the Centre's intentions.

The clarification from the Civil Aviation Minister arrives amidst a broader national conversation surrounding ethanol-blended fuels. The Centre has been implementing a nationwide rollout of 20% ethanol blended petrol (E20), a move that has generated discussions regarding its potential impact, particularly on older vehicle engines.

However, the minister's recent pronouncement unequivocally separates the policy considerations for automotive fuels from those for aviation. He underscored that the stringent requirements and distinct properties of aviation fuels mean that ethanol is not considered for blending with Aviation Turbine Fuel.

In a related development concerning the aviation sector, the Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) recently met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Naidu. During the meeting, the Chancellor reportedly advocated for the establishment of a new airport in Vellore, a city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This interaction highlights ongoing discussions about expanding aviation infrastructure and connectivity within the country, alongside the technical considerations of fuel types.