Haryana approves use of imported bitumen for six months

Chandigarh: In view of the shortage of bitumen and its rising prices due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday approved the use of imported bitumen for the next six months to ensure that road construction and maintenance works are not affected. The CM was chairing a review meeting of departments related to road construction and maintenance at the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Saturday. He reviewed the progress of road construction works undertaken during the financial year 2025-26 and discussed targets for the financial year 2026-27, issuing necessary directions to the officials. During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted of road-related works being carried out by departments including PWD (B&R), Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Zila Parishad/Panchayati Raj, Haryana Urban Development Authority, HSIIDC, Urban Local Bodies and agencies such as PMDA, GMDA and SMDA.Officials informed the CM that while the price of bitumen was ₹46,402 per metric tonne on Feb 28, it rose sharply to ₹76,152 per metric tonne on April 1. Additionally, IOCL has indicated that the supply of bitumen has been impacted by nearly 50%. In such circumstances, the central govt has permitted the use of imported bitumen. Acting on this, the chief minister approved its use in Haryana for six months so that road construction and repair works continue uninterrupted.The chief minister stated that well-maintained roads are essential for public convenience and directed all concerned departments to ensure prompt filling of potholes and undertake repair works using patchwork machines across all districts. He noted that while PWD (B&R) is already using such machines, other departments may coordinate with PWD to utilise them effectively. He emphasised that inconvenience caused to the public due to damaged roads will not be tolerated and directed all departments to submit monthly progress reports regularly. CM Saini further directed that all complaints regarding damaged roads received on the ‘Mhari Sadak' mobile app be addressed on priority. He instructed that in cases where maintenance responsibility lies with the construction agency, the concerned companies must be directed to carry out repair works at the earliest.The CM also stressed that the targets set for road construction in the financial year 2025-26 should be achieved promptly so that the targets for 2026-27 are met on time. Directing immediate repair of damaged roads in urban sectors, the CM said that ambiguity regarding departmental responsibility for roads in urban areas must be removed. Ensure transparency in ESI healthcare systemSaini issued strict directions to ensure transparency and accountability in the ESI healthcare system, stating that negligence or corruption at any level will not be tolerated. The CM was chairing a review meeting of ESI Healthcare Haryana at the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Saturday. Expressing serious concern over issues related to the ESI Hospital in Panipat, Saini directed officials to immediately initiate action to de-panel six private hospitals. Acting on these directions, the department has issued notices to the concerned hospitals. MSID: 130353726 413 |Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.