THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction sector, which is getting active after the Covid pandemic, is being hit by the soaring prices of construction materials like cement and steel.

Distributors attributed the rise in prices to a shortage of raw materials due to the Ukraine-Russia war.

With the lifting of Covid restrictions, the construction works are being held all over the state due to summer and the rise in prices is to take advantage of that. Rising fuel prices have also accelerated inflation. Compared to January this year, the price of wire has gone up by Rs 22 per kg. The price for a quintal of steel has gone up by Rs 2200. At the beginning of the pandemic, the price of steel was Rs 45 per kg. This is was increased several times. The price of 50 kg sack of cement has gone up by Rs 70. This has affected both large and small constructions. Wages of construction workers have also gone up after the Covid period. The minimum wage for a construction worker ranges from Rs 1150 to 1200. Earlier it was Rs 950-1000.

According to the contractors, the construction cost of the building was Rs 2,000 per square foot till January and now it is Rs 2,600. With this, it has become difficult for those who started work on a one-year contract. Nowadays, only three-month contracts are signed due to this. Then the contract must be renewed.

Price of materials

January and now

Steel (per kg) 64 - 86

Cement 380 - 450

M Sand 24, 000 -32, 000

Brick load 17000 - 21000

Chilly load 31000-34000