Ludhiana: West Asian geopolitical tensions have hit the streets of an Indian industrial hub, leaving local drivers vulnerable to catastrophic monsoon flooding.Despite a multi-crore-rupee infrastructure pledge, local authorities admit they will miss a crucial pre-monsoon road repair and drainage clearance deadline of June 30 due to a global supply shortage of bitumen since the US war on Iran had, so far, blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.Punjab’s local bodies minister, Harjot Bains, previously ordered all municipal roads to be clear of potholes by the end of the month, claiming to have allocated ₹172 crore to infrastructure upgrades in the industrial city. However, residents see little visible evidence of the expenditure.Thoroughfares remain in poor condition across major parts like Haibowal, Dugri, and the Focal Point factory zone. The delays have fuelled community anxiety ahead of the imminent monsoon rains, which routinely flood local streets and obscure deep cavities beneath the water line.“When the roads flood, it becomes incredibly hazardous because you cannot judge the depth of the potholes,” said Sumit Kumar, a resident of Dugri. “The municipal corporation should have initiated these repairs months ago to avoid trapping the city in this situation.”In some neighbourhoods, recent utility works have further compromised structural safety. Water pipeline installations have left sub-base soils unstable, causing pavement sections to collapse during minor early rain. Community advocates have urged municipal authorities to halt any fresh excavation work until the rainy season concludes.Executive engineer Arvind Kumar defended the slow progress, stating that global logistics disruptions have halted supply chains for construction materials. “We managed to secure a single shipment of bitumen after a prolonged delay, which allowed us to complete minor patch work in select sectors,” he said.“Supply lines have dried up again due to diplomatic and military tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the US,” The officer said. “Without reliable asphalt components, comprehensive road maintenance remains impossible.”
