Surkhet, May 5 -- A shortage of bitumen, the key material used in asphalt, has stalled road blacktopping projects across Karnali Province, affecting targets set for the current fiscal year.

The provincial government had aimed to blacktop 161 kilometres of roads this year. However, supply disruptions during the peak construction season have made the target unattainable.

Arjun Kumar Bam, secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development, said the shortage caused by tensions in West Asia has severely impacted progress. "The lack of bitumen during the construction season has hit targets hard. Even when available, prices have tripled," he said.

Contractors said bitumen, which cost Rs90 per kg until mid-February, has...