Bitumen price hike stops ₹64 crore road proposal in Trichy

Trichy: Trichy corporation’s ₹64 crore road redevelopment proposal to restore roads damaged for underground drainage and 24X7 drinking water projects has hit a dead end with contractors citing price hike in bitumen (tar) sought revision in fund allocation. With bitumen prices hiked by over 75% in two months due to the West Asia crisis, contractors who bagged the road redevelopment projects have refused to launch work to avoid a major loss.The comprehensive road redevelopment work, proposed by the urban local body in Feb, was aimed at relaying major bus-plying roads. Besides the roadwork sanctioned under the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Funds (TURIF), the local body allotted ₹5 crore from general funds to redevelop damaged roads. While tenders were floated and contractors identified in Feb, the work was delayed due to the model code of conduct for the assembly election.Meanwhile, as the West Asia military conflict unfolded, prices of bitumen, a byproduct of crude oil, gradually increased due to a shortage. “When tenders floated, the cost of a tonne of bitumen was between ₹52,000 and ₹58,000. Currently, the price has reached ₹1 lakh per tonne. Without increasing the project cost to match the new bitumen prices, roadwork cannot be taken up,” R Bharathidasan, a road contractor said.Contractors said the state highways department follows a flexible payment model, compensating for the hike in bitumen prices before taking up the roadwork. They sought a similar system to be followed in the local bodies. If the bitumen prices drop to at least ₹70,000, contractors said they could commence work.Multiple roads within core areas of the city await road restoration, and reopening of schools has only strengthened the demand for new roads. “Soon, the rainy season will start, roadwork must be completed in two months. The state govt must allocate additional funds,” mayor Mu Anbalagan said.