'Impossible to carry out work': How West Asian conflict stalled Kerala's road construction

ALAPPUZHA: Due to the shortage and price hike of tar and bitumen emulsion following the West Asian War, road repair work, including tarring, in the state has come to a standstill. Tarring of roads is stalled in many places, including rural areas.

On March 1, the price of tar was Rs 58,764 per tonne, which increased to Rs 61,126 per tonne. On March 12, it increased again by Rs 3,500. Now, the price of tar is Rs 89,000 per tonne, including 18 per cent GST. It has increased by Rs 30,236 in three months. In December 2025, the price of tar was Rs 52,799 per tonne. In road construction estimates, the government earlier allowed Rs 55,259 per tonne of tar. At the current price, contractors have to pay Rs 33,741 more per tonne.

With roads upgraded to the B.M.B.C. standard to improve quality, it requires four times the amount of tar compared to the traditional construction method. Road renovation work is mainly carried out in the state during March and April. In many places, this was not even partially done.

• Damaged roads................9,398

• Running contract roads.........19,500 km

• To be upgraded to B.M.B.C. standards......11,824 km

“Due to the increase in the price of tar and its shortage, it has become impossible to carry out work, including road tarring, during the summer. The government is not ready to increase the rate in the estimate according to the price increase,” - Varghese Kannampally, Govt. Contractors Association.