West Asia war hits Bengaluru roads as bitumen stalls works worth Rs 1,500 crore | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Road asphalting works across the city have slowed significantly as the ongoing West Asia conflict begins to impact the availability and pricing of bitumen, raising concerns of delays in critical infrastructure projects ahead of monsoon.Those linked with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Contractors’ Association said they have largely halted asphalting activities over the past few days, citing both a shortage of raw material and a steep rise in costs. The issue threatens to delay road projects worth nearly Rs 1,500 crore that are currently in the pipeline at various stages, potentially impacting road conditions across multiple parts of the city.According to the association, the price of bitumen has increased by nearly 20% in recent weeks. “Before the conflict escalated, we were procuring bitumen at around Rs 45,000 per tonne. Now, it has shot up to Rs 65,000 per tonne. At these rates, it is not feasible for us to continue work under previously approved tender amounts,” a contractor said, highlighting the financial strain on contractors operating under fixed-price agreements.Contractors have made it clear that they are unwilling to absorb the increased costs. They have instead suggested that the civic body procure and supply bitumen if it wants the work to proceed without delays. “We are ready to execute the projects if the material is provided. But we cannot take on the additional financial burden as tenders were approved based on older rates,” another contractor said.Most contractors said they source bitumen from Mangaluru, a key supply hub for the region. However, according to them, that supply itself has become uncertain, adding another layer of challenge.The timing of the disruption has raised concerns, as the city recently saw an increase in roadwork allocations after a relatively slow period. Many of these projects were expected to be completed before the onset of pre-monsoon showers, making the current slowdown particularly critical. With rains approaching, delays in asphalting could worsen road conditions across the city, leading to potholes, waterlogging, and traffic disruptions.Officials acknowledged the situation but indicated that work has not come to a complete halt, with certain preliminary activities still underway.Data being collectedGreater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by contractors regarding the increase in bitumen prices and are currently examining the issue in detail. Bitumen is only one component of road construction, so we need to assess the overall impact on project costs before making any decision.Officials indicated that the civic body is in the process of gathering detailed data on current demand and cost escalation before arriving at a policy decision. GBA is now expected to evaluate whether project costs need revision or if alternative arrangements, including material procurement mechanisms, can be explored to ensure work continuity without burdening contractors.