Hyderabad: A BT material shortage has stalled road repairs and new road construction across Hyderabad amid disruptions linked to the Iran-US war.
Tensions in West Asia have disrupted crude oil supplies and affected the availability of BT material. The supply has reportedly stopped for the past ten days, delaying ongoing works across the city.
As a result, contractors have not come forward for several tenders to build new BT roads under the Tri Corporations. In the CMC and MMC Municipal Corporations, authorities reportedly called tenders for BT road works six times without receiving a response.
Engineering officials had already brought the shortage to the attention of commissioners. However, the authorities have not taken alternative measures to address the material crisis or speed up pending repairs.
The shortage has also affected contractors who had already started road works. Some projects have reportedly stopped midway because contractors do not have sufficient BT stocks to continue construction.
BT material shortage pushes up roadwork costs
The supply chain, mainly from plants in Vizag city, has remained disrupted for ten days. According to contractors, rising international crude oil prices and slower imports during the war have contributed to the shortage.
Contractors said the price of BT has increased from Rs. 43 per kilo to Rs. 82. They also said each tanker can cost up to Rs. 30 lakh, making it difficult for contractors to absorb the additional expense.
Vehicles reportedly wait for hours at plants before being sent back because stocks are unavailable. This wastes time and diesel while causing further delays to road projects.
Contractors said limited quantities of material are reaching the city intermittently. However, they said the available material is being supplied to only a few contractors and remains insufficient for the wider demand.
The shortage has also affected emergency repairs because Shell Mac bags are currently unavailable. These bags are used for urgent road repairs, adding to the difficulties faced by municipal authorities.
Meanwhile, contractors have shown little response to tenders for pending road works. They fear financial losses because bitumen prices have risen sharply while material remains difficult to obtain.
Engineering officials have reportedly informed senior authorities and commissioners about the situation. Requests have also been made to supply adequate BT material and Shell Mac bags for pending complaints and VIP roads.
There is also criticism that the government failed to create alternative arrangements during the shortage. Contractors and others have sought a system similar to a Green Channel for procuring BT needed for emergency works.
Rains and the ongoing crisis have further worsened road conditions across the city. Potholes are reportedly increasing daily, creating difficulties for motorists and pedestrians.
Residents have raised concerns over accidents on busy roads because of the potholes. They are demanding faster repairs and immediate alternative arrangements to bring BT material into the city.