SWABI: A sharp increase in prices of construction material has been witnessed in Swabi district, the local residents complained on Saturday.

Talking to Dawn, they said dealers of construction material, including iron, bricks and cement, overcharged them. However, the dealers denied the charge, insisting rates were high across the country.

The locals said that rate of iron had jumped to Rs120,000 per ton from Rs107,000 per ton a week ago.

They said the iron rate varied from place to place as it was available at Rs124,000 per ton near the Shahmansoor Township.

They said a great difference was also witnessed in the price of bricks, adding one dealer sold bricks at Rs14,160 per 1,000, but another sold them at Rs12,580 per 1,000.

“Almost 99 per cent of dealers are also involved in mixing low quality bricks with those of good quality to earn good profits,” Ubaid-ur-Rehman of Maneri Bala said. Similarly, the prices of cement and timber also varied.

The residents said those who had their houses built by contractors were deceived because the contractors used low quality material to save money.

The people appealed to the officials of the district administration to bring down prices of construction material and also ensure uniform rates throughout the district.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2021