Vegetables like carrot, beat and bean have already vanished from the Chhatra Bazaar daily market in Cuttack. Prices of vegetables available in the haat have risen unbearably.
While parbal was sold at Rs 150 per kg, brinjal and bitter gourd were sold at 40 per kg. Before the drivers’ strike when movement of vehicles was normal the prices of these three vegetables were Rs 80, Rs 20 and Rs 30, respectively, in Chhatra Bazaar market, which is the largest daily market of the State.
Prices of ladies finger, ridge gourd and tomato alos rose by Rs 10 to 15 per kg on Thursday.
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“Vehicles carrying vegetables have stranded midway at different places in the State due to the drivers’ strike. As a result of which, there has been a short supply of vegetables at different places,” said Debendra Sahoo, secretary, Chhatra Bazaar Traders’ Association.
He said while about 50 trucks carrying vegetables come to Chhatra Bazaar market every day, the haat didn’t see a single vehicle on Wednesday and Thursday. He apprehended that prices will soar further if vehicles don’t turn up to the market tomorrow.
Vegetable scarcity has affected markets in Bhubaneswar, Puri and other towns of the State as well.
“We know vegetables come to Bhubaneswar from distant places. As vehicles have been stranded at different places due to drivers’ strike, local farmers are now regulating markets with high prices. If the situation persists, it will be difficult to buy brinjal, pumpkin, tomoto, ladies finger and ridge gourd,” said Saroj Swain, a consumer. .
Drivers’ strike has also led to dearth of petrol and diesel in the two cities.
“As tankers have not come to petrol pumps for the last two days, most of the fuel units have been emptied. People will not be able to move to work places and offices if drivers don’t withdraw strike,” said Rajendra Nath Sahaji, who works as a manager at a petrol pump in the city.
Deepak Kumar Mohanty, a consumer, apprehended that black-marketing of fuel will be rampant if pumps are not filled on Friday.
Dearth of petrol has already marked in Balasore. Many people were seen returning from a petrol pump without pouring petrol in their vehicles.
