Ludhiana, Punjab, India, is experiencing increased traffic congestion as road repairs have stalled due to a shortage of bitumen, a crucial material for road construction. This disruption is attributed to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has affected India's ability to source enough bitumen. The delays are particularly evident on roads excavated for the canal-based water supply project, aimed at providing potable water from the Sidhwan Canal. Project manager Amir Kalpataru from Kalpataru Projects International Limited stated that resurfacing work can only commence once bitumen supplies are restored. India imports a significant portion of its crude oil from West Asia, which accounts for approximately 55% of its crude imports. The canal project, which includes a 580 MLD water treatment plant and a 165-km pipeline network, is estimated to cost ₹1,300 crore (roughly $156 million USD) and is funded by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Officially launched on February 25, 2025, the project is set for completion by February 25, 2028.