As the bitumen prices continue to be high and the revised schedule of rates have not been published this July, floating of tenders for road work in the Chennai Metropolitan Area by various local bodies has been delayed.

Residents and councillors have complained that civic agencies including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) have delayed the relaying of at least 2000 damaged roads in the city ahead of the Northeast monsoon.

The delay in publishing the schedule of rates by the Public Works Department this year has led to a confusion in decision making on road relaying work, councillors said.

According to the data released online by the State government, the schedule of rates were last published with effect from July 22, 2025, while bitumen rates skyrocketed in the past few months.

Unless the revised schedule of rates are published this year, road relaying work cannot start after floating tender for damaged roads ahead of the Northeast monsoon, councillors said.

While the schedule of rates in 2025-2026 excluding GST for VO 30 (Viscosity Grade 30) has been ₹47,852 per tonne of bitumen, the actual rate as on August 1, 2026 is ₹68,562. The schedule of rates published in 2025-2026 excluding GST for VO 40 (Viscosity Grade 40) has been ₹50,342 per tonne of bitumen and the actual rate as on August 1, 2026 is ₹74,792.

T .Nagar resident V.S. Jayaraman said that most of the roads in areas such as T. Nagar need immediate relaying during the dry period before the onset of the Northeast monsoon. “Rameswaram Road in T. Nagar is in poor condition. That road is the most used by commercial establishments in T. Nagar for transportation of goods. Residential apartments are also located along the stretch,” he said. “Pinjala Subramaniam Street and Motilal Street have to be maintained properly. When officials and contractors claim that bitumen prices are high, the State government has to find a solution,” he added.

MDMK councillor S. Jeevan said many roads in north Chennai have been damaged and residents have demanded civic officials that the relaying of the strectches be expedited before the monsoon. DMK councillor T.V. Shemmozhi said roads in Anna Nagar including Twenty First Main Road have been damaged. AIADMK Councillor J. John said many roads in Korattur have also been damaged.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said: “Most of the issues are due to road cuts happening in the city for various developmental works like water supply and sewer works. For that, we have money for restoration. Tenders are called and contracts are finalised. Once CMWSSB and TANGEDCO hand over the roads after their works, we will restore them immediately.”

“Similarly, we are going to give ₹1 crore to ₹1.35 crore per zone for patch works and pothole restoration during monsoon period. Tenders will be called soon. Apart from that, this year, after Demand for grants [in the Assembly], we are expecting around ₹200-250 crore grants from various schemes for road relaying,” he said.

Published - August 12, 2026 05:16 am IST