NEW DELHI: In view of a slowdown in road restoration projects due to the increasing cost of bitumen, the Delhi government has approved a one-time cost escalation proposal for the Public Works Department (PWD).
The department has received approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for all the projects starting from April this year to November. “The price adjustment shall be admissible only for the bitumen component and shall be calculated strictly in accordance with the formula prescribed by MoRTH,” a PWD order said.
According to officials, imports of bitumen have been affected by the West Asia conflict, leading to a steep hike in prices and slowing road repair projects across the capital. Last year, the central government had approved a fund request of Rs 803 crore for 152 road-related projects across Delhi covered under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund.
“In many projects, tenders had been floated and even work had started on the ground; however, as the war broke out in Iran and the situation continues to be uncertain, the market was volatile, and the contractors could not continue due to the increasing costs,” an official added.
The PWD manages about 1,400 km of roads in the national capital. Out of this, tenders for work on 400 km have been floated and will be covered under the cost-escalation proposal. The Delhi government has initiated multiple projects aimed at reducing dust pollution, improving road quality and easing traffic congestion.
Some of the longest stretches for which funds have been approved in West Delhi include a 16 km-long stretch of Najafgarh-Dhansa Road, a 5.75 km-long stretch of Outer Ring Road from Mangolpuri railway crossing to Keshavpuram drain and a 7.2 km-long stretch of Najafgarh-Jharoda Road, which will be taken up for road strengthening.
PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh had earlier announced that these upgrades align with the city’s broader environmental and infrastructure goals. CRIF is a scheme of the MoRTH that provides funds to states and Union Territories for the development and maintenance of key roads and infrastructure.
ASHA workers to get double incentive
The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved doubling the fixed monthly incentive for ASHA workers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000. The increase will apply to all 6,725 ASHA workers currently working in Delhi. Other incentives will continue as before. Gupta said ASHA workers are an important link in primary healthcare system.