Bitumen shortage slows down highway projects across Raj

Jaipur: Roadwork on several national highway projects in Rajasthan has slowed down sharply as contractors face an acute shortage of petroleum-based materials, including bitumen, amid disruptions in global petrochemical supplies over the Iran war.Key works on National Highway (NH) 27 and NH 148D have been hit, with asphalt-laying halted at multiple locations. "Roadwork projects currently underway in Kota division alone, collectively valued at nearly Rs 600 crore, have been seriously affected," said a contractor who did not wish to be named.Similarly, on NH-27, contractors said they need 20,000 tonnes of asphalt, but only around 7,000 tonnes have been supplied so far. "Earlier, asphalt was available at roughly Rs 40,000 per tonne. After the escalation of tensions in West Asia, however, prices rose to above Rs 50,000 per tonne, and now supplies are extremely difficult to secure even at that rate," the contractor added.Shortages of liquid diesel oil (LDO), used to run heavy construction equipment, have also been reported from project sites. Against an estimated requirement of 27 lakh litres across multiple projects, only about 10 lakh litres of LDO have been delivered. Contractors said prices of the commodity have climbed from about Rs 45,000 per tonne to nearly Rs 60,000 per tonne, with supplies remaining irregular.Immersion oil, another petroleum derivative used in roadworks, is also in short supply. Against a requirement of roughly 9,000 tonnes, sites have received only about 3,500 tonnes so far. Prices of this material have risen from around Rs 38,000 per tonne to nearly Rs 50,000 per tonne, excluding GST.Contractors said that despite valid supply contracts and timely payments, suppliers are unable to fulfil orders because refined petrochemical products are not reaching domestic markets in adequate quantities.Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) acknowledged the impact of material shortages on project timelines. "Asphalt-related work has slowed down at several sites. Contractors have been advised to continue with other activities wherever possible so that overall project progress does not come to a complete halt," an NHAI official said.Among the worst-hit projects is the Rs 199 crore upgradation of the 240-km Gulabpura–Uniara stretch of NH 148D through Bundi district, where asphalt-laying has been temporarily suspended.Renovation of a 104-km stretch of NH-27 between Kota, Bhanwargarh and Kelwara, valued at around Rs 171 crore, has also stalled after reaching nearly 30% completion.With work slowing across multiple locations, heavy machinery has been moved to temporary camps and several workers, including engineers and labourers, are currently without active assignments.Work on parts of Package 10 of the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway has also seen delays, particularly in culvert construction and road surfacing.NHAI officials said projects on the Gurugram–Jaipur and Jaipur–Deoli stretches of the expressway have not been significantly affected yet, but precautionary steps are being put in place.NHAI project director Ajay Arya said authorities are monitoring the situation closely and making all efforts to arrange supplies. "Even though there is no immediate crisis on these stretches, shortages could compound if supply disruptions continue. We are making necessary arrangements and procuring materials from wherever possible so that work does not suffer," Arya said.