Iran-Israel Tensions Halt Delhi-NCR Road Projects, Costs Soar

• Middle East tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US have driven up crude oil prices, making bitumen for road construction prohibitively expensive.
• Contractors in Delhi-NCR, particularly Ghaziabad, are abandoning projects or limiting work to patch-ups as raw material costs have surged by 20-30% post-tender.
• Key roads like Ghaziabad's GT Road, Siddharth Vihar, and Loni-Wazirabad Road are experiencing significant delays or complete halts in construction.
• The PWD has issued strict instructions for contractors to complete work before monsoon, despite rising costs and supply issues.
• The public faces a double blow: potential fuel price hikes, increased vehicle maintenance due to poor roads, and health issues from dust.