Contractors stay away over rising costs; demand rate revision amid Middle East crisis Ovaise Gul Srinagar, Jun 05: The much-awaited macadamisation works across Jammu and Kashmir are facing delays as contractors have largely stayed away from the tendering process, citing a sharp increase in the cost of essential construction materials amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, leaving several roads in deteriorated condition, and public frustration is growing. According to the contractors, the situation in the Middle East has triggered a rise in prices of key inputs required for road surfacing works, making existing government-approved rates financially unviable. They have demanded a revision of macadamisation rates to reflect current market realities, but no response has been received from the government so far.