Brace for bumpier roads: Projects hit as bitumen costs rise amid war

Bhopal: The city's road network is staring at a tough summer as rising bitumen costs amid West Asia war threaten to derail repair and resurfacing plans. Bitumen, the petroleum byproduct that binds asphalt, has become costlier starting March 2026, adding significant pressure to project budgets.On Tuesday, at Itwara, a PWD sub-engineer supervised the relaying of a small patch of potholed road dug up for sewage laying around 2024. The focus was on covering the damaged stretch but more on conserving the limited stock of bitumen. "The situation is alarming," he said, wishing anonymity and noting that PWD is currently using only what is already in hand. Future projects face budget uncertainty, with no defined plan for escalation.Earlier this year, the public works department identified 180 roads for relaying, most requiring cement and bitumen layering. On the other hand, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation manages nearly 1,500 km of roads, half of which are potholed and in urgent need of resurfacing. In its recent budget, BMC allocated around Rs30 crore for repairs, but this will be far from sufficient as costs continue to rise.Bitumen prices in India rose steadily through March 2026, with bulk grades increasing by Rs 4,000- Rs 5,000 per tonne compared to early March. The strongest gains were seen at Vizag and other refinery depots, reflecting higher crude costs and tight supply. In Bhopal, sellers report two rate hikes in the past month, adding to the strain on contractors and govt agencies.Authorities are weighing alternatives like white topping, where concrete overlays existing roads. While more durable, it is costly upfront and slower to implement, raising questions about scalability.Metro Corridor Road Too Await RepairsThe rising cost of bitumen could soon affect the Bhopal Metro corridor, which began passenger service last Dec. While trains operate overhead, the road beneath the elevated tracks still awaits repair. Responsibility for this stretch lies with MPMRCL, whose officials confirm they already paid PWD last year to carry out the work. With bitumen prices climbing sharply, the repairs remain pending, raising concerns that the corridor's supporting road infrastructure may lag behind the metro's rapid development.As Inflated Costs Drain Budget, Sewage Line Projects Face ChallengesBhopal's ongoing sewage line development under AMRUT 2.0, spanning nearly 700 km, faces fresh challenges as rising bitumen prices threaten to slow down road restoration. While pipeline work progresses, resurfacing of dug-up roads is turning expensive, adding to the strain on already limited budgets.