Ahmedabad: The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has begun impacting municipal development works in Ahmedabad, with road construction and maintenance projects slowing down significantly due to a shortage of asphalt.

It is learnt that road works in the city have nearly come to a standstill amid disruptions in crude oil supply, which has directly affected the availability of asphalt (bitumen). Prior to the escalation of the conflict, Ahmedabad consumed around 5,000 to 5,500 metric tonnes of asphalt daily. However, current usage has dropped sharply to just 500 to 700 metric tonnes per day, effectively indicating a nearly 90 per cent decline in road-related works.

Road Projects Hit Hard

Municipal works such as resurfacing, patchwork, construction of new asphalt roads, and road widening have been severely affected. While a majority of such projects are typically completed during the winter season, several works remain pending even as summer has begun.

Reports indicate that the situation may worsen further following a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.

Supply Chain Disruptions

IOC Depot Rush: Long queues of tankers from Gujarat and other states have been reported outside the Indian Oil Corporation depot, as contractors scramble to procure limited asphalt supplies.

Plants Shut Down: Hot mix plants and machinery used for road resurfacing have been forced to shut down due to a lack of raw material.

Unfinished Roads: Several roads dug up in newly developed areas remain incomplete and blocked due to stalled resurfacing work.

Rising Fuel Costs: The shortage and rising prices of Light Diesel Oil (LDO), essential for running hot mix plants, have further compounded the problem. DeshGujarat