New Delhi, June 16 -- A sharp rise in bitumen prices triggered by the conflict in West Asia has slowed Delhi's wider road relaying programme, even as senior government officials have shifted focus largely to cement-concrete road networks, officials who participated in a review meeting on the matter last week said.

The official said bitumen prices have increased by 40-50%, making it economically unviable for contractors to execute projects at the rates at which contracts were awarded.

Road-owning agencies have been tasked with redeveloping 3,379 km of roads by 2026 under a framework set out by the Commission for Air Quality Management. Of this, 70% of the work - or 2,361 km - is to be completed by October 2026. Only 697 km (20.62%) have ...