Nashik: An acute shortage of asphalt and macadam has disrupted key road infrastructure projects in Nashik ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, raising concerns about meeting deadlines for works worth Rs 1,270 crore across 28 major stretches.
Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials said asphalt production had come to a standstill following interruptions in the supply of raw material imported from west Asia amid geopolitical tensions in the region. As a result, asphalting work and pothole repairs across the city have been halted, worsening road conditions and stoking fears of further deterioration after monsoon onset.
“We have been unable to carry out asphalting and pothole-filling work for the past month due to non-availability of asphalt. The supply chain for raw materials has been hit, which is beyond local control,” a senior NMC official said.
Impact on Road Construction
Simultaneously, restrictions on stone mining in and around Nashik have sharply reduced the availability of macadam (khadi), a crucial material in road construction. The officials admitted nearly 70% drop in supply, severely affecting ongoing work, particularly the levelling of roads excavated for infrastructure upgrades.
As part of Kumbh preparations, NMC has undertaken large-scale utility projects, including laying common ducts for water pipelines, drainage systems, optical fibre cables, gas pipelines and electricity lines. While duct installation has been completed on several major roads, the subsequent phase, levelling and strengthening road surfaces, has slowed due to the shortage of macadam.
“We are trying to complete levelling works, but macadam supply is severely constrained. GSB (granular sub-base) and WMM (wet mix macadam) layers must be laid before the monsoon to ensure roads remain motorable, but the shortage has delayed this process,” another official said.
Administrative Intervention
The issue has been escalated to the district administration. During a recent review meeting with district guardian secretary Eknath Dawale, NMC officials requested intervention to ease restrictions on local stone mining. Dawale has reportedly instructed authorities to examine the situation and consider measures to restore supply.
Officials also pointed to tender conditions that required contractors to source materials like asphalt and macadam from within a 20km radius of the city, limiting alternative procurement options during supply disruptions.
“The situation in west Asia appears to be stabilising, and we expect raw material supply to resume soon. Once that happens, asphalting work can restart,” an official said.
