Prices of construction materials soar in Rawalpindi

Cost of a cement bag jumps to Rs950 in open market in garrison city

RAWALPINDI:

Soaring prices of imported coal coupled with political uncertainty in the country has led to a record increase in prices of construction materials in the open market.

The price of cement bricks has hit a time-high while the price of a cement bag has jumped from Rs650 to Rs950. In some localities, the cement bag is being sold for Rs1,000. The construction price of a five-marla house now increased up to Rs0.35 million.

In the open market, the price of first-class bricks has been increased to Rs12,500 per thousand bricks. The sand trolley is now available for Rs6,000, while the gravel is being sold at Rs5500. While good quality gravel is being sold at Rs6200.

The price of steel has reached Rs0.2 million per ton. The rising prices of building materials have led to a surge in the purchase of second-hand building materials in the open market. Old bricks are being sold between Rs6,000 and Rs7,000 in the market, while old steel is being sold between Rs90,000 and Rs100,000 per ton.

In addition to building material, rates of labourers have also increased. The wages of labourers have been increased from Rs1000 to Rs1200 per day and the wages of carpenters have been increased from Rs2000 to Rs2200.

Contractor Raja Ibadat said that the building material prices have risen sharply in the one last month. “A cement bag is in freefall and its prices increase every week. Now the construction cost of a five marla house has further increased by Rs300,000.

Haji Ibrahim, a citizen, said that when he started constructing his house two months back, a cement bag was available between Rs600 and Rs.620 but now it has jumped to Rs950 per back.