Government Extends Fuel and Bitumen Relief for Highway Contractors

The government has extended help for companies building and maintaining national highways.

These companies have faced much higher prices for diesel and bitumen, a material used to build roads.

The ministry says bulk diesel now costs Rs 153.57 a litre, compared with about Rs 87.67 before the West Asia war began on March 1.

Bitumen has also become more expensive.

The extended rules let eligible contractors receive compensation for some of these higher costs.

The rules cover certain projects whose bids were due before April 1, 2026.

The bitumen measure applies to work done from April through December 2026.

Eligible payments are made monthly to help contractors manage their cash needs.