Approval Given for Use of Imported Bitumen for 6 Months to Prevent Disruption in Road Works Amid War-Induced Shortage: CM

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Reviews Road Construction Works Across Various Departments

Directs Use of Patchwork Machines in All Districts for Road Repairs

CM Instructs Redressal of Complaints Received on ‘Mhari Sadak’ App on Priority

Chandigarh, 18 April 2026

In view of the shortage of bitumen and its rising prices due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has approved the use of imported bitumen for the next six months to ensure that road construction and maintenance works are not affected.

The Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting of departments related to road construction and maintenance at the Haryana Civil Secretariat today. He reviewed the progress of road construction works undertaken during the financial year 2025–26 and discussed targets for the financial year 2026–27, issuing necessary directions to the officials

During the meeting, a detailed review was conducted of road-related works being carried out by departments including PWD (B&R), Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board, Zila Parishad/Panchayati Raj, Haryana Urban Development Authority, HSIIDC, Urban Local Bodies, and agencies such as PMDA, GMDA and SMDA.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that while the price of bitumen was ₹46,402 per metric tonne on February 28, it rose sharply to ₹76,152 per metric tonne on April 1. Additionally, IOCL has indicated that the supply of bitumen has been impacted by nearly 50 percent. In such circumstances, the Central Government has permitted the use of imported bitumen. Acting on this, the Chief Minister approved its use in Haryana for six months so that road construction and repair works continue uninterrupted.

The Chief Minister stated that well-maintained roads are essential for public convenience and directed all concerned departments to ensure prompt filling of potholes and undertake repair works using patchwork machines across all districts. He noted that while PWD (B&R) is already using such machines, other departments may coordinate with PWD to utilize them effectively. He emphasized that inconvenience caused to the public due to damaged roads will not be tolerated and directed all departments to submit monthly progress reports regularly.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further directed that all complaints regarding damaged roads received on the ‘Mhari Sadak’ mobile app be addressed on priority. He instructed that in cases where maintenance responsibility lies with the construction agency, the concerned companies must be directed to carry out repair works at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also stressed that the targets set for road construction in the financial year 2025–26 should be achieved promptly so that the targets for 2026–27 are met on time. He informed that a target of constructing and repairing 63,170 kilometres of roads has been set for the current financial year through various departments. He further directed that in case of any technical issues in granting administrative approval for roads under Zila Parishads, the concerned Deputy Commissioners should be authorized to approve them.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini observed that there is often variation in the quality of road construction across departments and directed all departments to adhere to the standards prescribed by PWD (B&R). He also instructed that all ongoing construction and repair works be completed before the onset of the monsoon.

Directing immediate repair of damaged roads in urban sectors, the Chief Minister said that ambiguity regarding departmental responsibility for roads in urban areas must be removed. He instructed the formation of a committee of officials to address this issue effectively. He also advised the development of select smart roads in urban areas to enhance both city aesthetics and public convenience.

Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretaries Sh. Anurag Agarwal, Sh. A.K. Singh, Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, and with other senior officials were present in the meeting.