Bitumen price surge hits road works, adding to motorists’ woes in Kochi

The soaring price of bitumen has taken a toll on road works, leaving motorists with a nightmarish commute even as local bodies scramble to address the cost escalation of ongoing projects.

The price of bitumen, a crude oil residue, has been on an upward spiral since March owing to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. With tensions showing no sign of easing, the bitumen price is unlikely to stabilise soon. Over six months, the price has risen from ₹10,093 per 156‑kg barrel on March 5 to ₹14,915 on September 16 - an increase of ₹4,822. During the same period, the per‑tonne price climbed from ₹61,126 to ₹85,955, marking a rise of ₹24,829.