Pune, 31st July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved the purchase of asphalt and petroleum-based materials worth nearly ₹14 crore to address the shortage that has slowed road repair work across the city.
The shortage, caused by supply disruptions following the US-Iran conflict, had delayed pothole filling and pre-monsoon road maintenance in several areas.
The decision is expected to restore normal operations at the civic body's Yerawada Batch Mix (Hot Mix) Plant, which supplies asphalt mix to all 15 regional ward offices and the central road department. The material produced at the plant is used for pothole repairs, patchwork, and resurfacing damaged roads.
To keep the plant operational throughout the year, PMC will procure bitumen, Low Diesel Oil (LDO), emulsion, and thermic oil. The purchase has been approved under the 2026–27 municipal budget, which has allocated ₹13.99 crore for the purpose.
Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the civic body will directly procure the required materials from Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum for an initial period of two months.
The Municipal Commissioner has been authorised to complete the procurement without requiring a security deposit or a separate agreement. The purchase also includes thermic oil for the newly commissioned Parker batch mix plant at Yerawada, marking its first procurement for the upgraded facility.
PMC officials said the prolonged shortage of bitumen had affected road maintenance plans before the monsoon, leaving several potholes unattended despite repeated complaints. With fresh supplies now being arranged, the civic body expects pothole repair and resurfacing work across Pune to gather pace in the coming weeks.
According to PMC, the approved procurement will help maintain a steady supply of essential road construction materials, allowing the hot mix plant to function without interruption. Civic officials believe the move will significantly improve the pace of pothole repairs and routine road maintenance across the city, especially during the ongoing monsoon season.