Butwal, April 18 -- Tensions in West Asia have disrupted the smooth import of petroleum products and construction materials, hitting the country's construction sector hard. Construction firms have begun to feel the impact, leading to workforce cuts and the risk of business shutdowns.

They complain that shortages of raw materials and abnormal price hikes have affected infrastructure projects, including roads. Beyond construction, plastic-based industries in various parts of the country are on the verge of shutdown due to an unavailability of raw materials. The crisis has deepened with depleting stocks, as suppliers fail to deliver raw materials to meet the demand.

Fuel price hikes and a shortage of bitumen have affected around 50 small a...