KATHMANDU: As if to recover the loss caused to the iron industry, the manufacturer of various construction materials esp. the iron and steel rods have hiked the price of rods from 50-60 percent.

According to the sources, with the start of the construction and building activities, the industries formerly impacted badly by the coronavirus pandemic have increased the price of construction materials esp. iron and steel rods.

The period between mid-November to June is regarded as the season of construction as the weather turns pretty construction friendly during the period.

Most of the construction activities, including the government ones, take place during this season.

The price of steel bars, one of the key construction materials, that remained stable during the lockdown imposed to curb and control coronavirus pandemic, cost Rs 75 to 85 per kg. However, smelling the beginning of the construction season again, the steel companies hiked the price since November taking it up to Rs 120 per kg.

The companies take the global price hike as the reason for increasing the price, yet, the Federation of Grill and Steel Entrepreneurs claims that the international price hike is hardly 5 percent.