, NEW DELHI: Govt is staring at a major shortage of bitumen due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, which is set to impact construction and maintenance of tar roads. While the price of VG-40 – the most commonly used grade of bitumen – has almost doubled since the conflict began, its availability has plummeted compared to the estimated requirement of around six lakh tonnes till July 15, only for highway projects, reports Dipak Dash.Industry insiders said while crude oil availability in the country remains comfortable due to the import of Russian oil, it has not improved bitumen supply. Sweet crude from Russia cannot produce the bitumen grade that is suitable for Indian weather conditions.The shortage issue was also flagged at the last meeting of the informal Group of Ministers headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, highlighting how non-availability of the required quality of bitumen has reduced the pace of highway construction to one-fourth in April.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCalcutta High Court Junks Pleas On West Bengal Cattle Slaughter Rules Ahead Of Bakr Eid‘Menon’ Surname Row: VD Satheesan Faces Heat From Kerala Congress Leaders Over Oath Name ChoiceIUML And VCK To Also Join Vijay Cabinet In Tamil Nadu, Expansion Tomorrow: ReportTMC Protests Against BJP Government Over Alleged Forced Eviction Of Hawkers In BengalTamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: Congress MLAs Get Portfolios, Governor Stops Oath Praise Of LeadersNibe Successfully Tests Vayu Astra-1 Loitering Munition In Maiden TrialsCJP X Account Withheld In India After Crossing 200K Followers In Just Four Days | WatchFIR Sought Against Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit ShahAir India Flight AI2651 Hits Tail During Landing, Aircraft Grounded For Inspection At BengaluruViral Cockroach Janta Party Overtakes Congress And BJP In Instagram Followers Race | Watch123Photostories10 traditional Indian foods that PM Modi gifted world leaders during his 5-nation tourFrom chubby little Gangubai to a fit and fab young actress after losing 22 Kgs; Saloni Daini’s stunning transformation is inspiringDeepika Padukone’s Cannes looks through the yearsPlants that thrive during Indian monsoon without rotting5 desi Indian teas among the Top 50 Teas in the WorldVanessa Trump diagnosed with breast cancer: Inside her life after divorce with Donald Trump Jr.5 White foods you must avoid for good health5 real estate hotspots near newly-opened Navi Mumbai Airport seeing massive growthOptical illusion personality test: Fish, face or stars? What you see first reveals if you are easy-going, deep connector or big-picture visionaryCoconut water vs coconut milk: Which works better for summer hair growth?123Hot PicksBandra demolition driveIPL Schedule 2026Indian rupeeFalta VotingUK NET MigrationElon MuskTN Ministers ListTop TrendingTN Finance Minister Marie WilsonIPL Match TodayPappu SanaPM ModiHardik PandyaJEE Advanced Response SheetIPL Orange Cap 2026Conor McGregor Net WorthNEET UG Paper LeakWest Bengal Annapurna Yojana
NEW DELHI: Govt is staring at a major shortage of bitumen due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, which is set to impact construction and maintenance of tar roads. While the price of VG-40 – the most commonly used grade of bitumen – has almost doubled since the conflict began, its availability has plummeted compared to the estimated requirement of around six lakh tonnes till July 15, only for highway projects, reports Dipak Dash.Industry insiders said while crude oil availability in the country remains comfortable due to the import of Russian oil, it has not improved bitumen supply. Sweet crude from Russia cannot produce the bitumen grade that is suitable for Indian weather conditions.The shortage issue was also flagged at the last meeting of the informal Group of Ministers headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, highlighting how non-availability of the required quality of bitumen has reduced the pace of highway construction to one-fourth in April.