The Centre’s prohibition on selling diesel in loose bottles and uncertified containers, enforced under the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Temporary Regulation of Supply through Retail Outlets) Order, 2026 issued on June 12, has severely impacted road repair and construction works across Himachal Pradesh. Petrol pumps have stopped dispensing diesel in unauthorized containers, creating operational hurdles for contractors executing infrastructure projects.
Key projects affected
The disruption is most evident on major road projects, including the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh highway and the Kasauli-Dharampur road. Contractors are finding it difficult to procure diesel for heavy equipment such as earth movers, road rollers, compressors, lifting machines, and hot mix plants. “A hot mix plant alone consumes around 200 litres of diesel daily,” said a contractor in Solan district, adding that arranging certified containers in sufficient numbers has become a major challenge.
NHAI acknowledges challenges
Anand Dahiya, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Shimla, acknowledged the issue. He noted that transporting bulky machinery like road rollers to fuel stations for refilling is impractical and could cause traffic congestion due to their slow movement. Dahiya stated that contractors executing highway projects have expressed concerns over diesel availability and its impact on timely completion of works.
Monsoon deadline at risk
The situation has compounded challenges for contractors already racing to complete road repairs before the onset of the monsoon. Hot mix plants, essential for road construction, require diesel to heat bitumen to temperatures between 150°C and 170°C for proper mixing and laying. With fuel supplies disrupted, several projects are witnessing delays.
Government order and industry reaction
The temporary order, introduced to curb hoarding and black marketing amid global supply-chain concerns, is initially effective for 90 days. Calling it an unprecedented situation that runs counter to the government’s ease-of-doing-business objectives, the Himachal Pradesh Petroleum Dealers Association has sought relaxation for the hill state, said association president Sukumar Singh.
