MUMBAI: Private construction work all over the country is expected to come to a standstill on March 15 following a protest call by real estate developers against the spurt in cement and steel prices.

The nation-wide stir, announced on Thursday by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), is also to lend support to the on-going builders’ strike in Gujarat which has already entered its eighth day. According to CREDAI, Gujarat is one state that has been severely affected because of the hike.

CREDAI president Kumar Gera said within a short span of four months, price of a cement bag has shot up from Rs 95 to a whopping Rs 160. Steel prices too have increased from Rs 19,000 to Rs 28,000 a metric ton.

Besides, there are indications that cement manufacturers are planning to jack up the rates to Rs 300 per bag, he said.