Hyderabad: Vegetable prices in Hyderabad, Telangana are increasing drastically as heavy rains have damaged crops and caused a supply shortage, local vendors say.
Hitherto tomatoes were being sold at Rs. 8 to Rs. 10 per kilo but today are selling for Rs. 50 and 60 Heavy rains have damaged the cropped fields. Instead of ten lorries, only two are approaching the markets. We are purchasing it for Rs 50 from the wholesaler, and selling them for Rs 60 to the retailer says a vendor. The same goes with the prices of onions too. We sold it for Rs15 a few days ago and now we are selling it for Rs 60,” according to a vendor in Osmanganj market
A local vendor says that the other cause of the soared prices is the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) strike due to which the farmers, who sell vegetables in small quantities, are unable to commute and reach the market from far away villages. In such a situation, the farmers are left with only one option to travel via private lories which are already in high demand right now.
Today the tomato price is Rs 40 to Rs 60 depending upon the quality and Soon the prices will rise up to Rs100 if this situation continues. Elderly people expressed concern at the exorbitant cost of vegetables and buses fleecing passengers especially the private operators who were collecting anywhere between rs. 20 to rs. 50 How will the pensioners and old people buy such expensive vegetables and commute in the city with prices rising day by day and the buses seeing no respite from the agitation?
The hiked vegetable prices have put consumer budgets in disarray as the prices have suddenly hiked within two days here.
Ratna Chotrani