Vizag grapples with shortages

Roadside vendors make a killing, doubling prices of essentials

October 15, 2014 04:45 am | Updated November 16, 2021 07:14 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM

Two days after Cyclone Hudhud battered the city, the struggle to procure water, milk, candles and petrol continues. Several makeshift stalls and roadside vendors are making a killing by doubling the prices.

Half a litre of milk that normally costs Rs. 20 is being sold for Rs. 50 to Rs. 100. The price is a little higher if it is a tetra pack. “Since there are very limited stocks available in the market, we are forced to pay extra to meet our daily needs,” said Sruthi, a resident of Doctor’s Colony, Seethammadhara.

Unable to put up with the huge price variation, some of the customers also protested. “On Monday, we held a dharna at our place as a packet of milk was sold for Rs.50 and a 20-litre can of drinking water was priced at Rs. 250,” said S. Gowri Shankar, a resident of Madhurawada.

Candles have also turned dearer. Irrespective of size and shape, the wax moulds are disappearing off the shelves like hot cakes. What was priced at Rs.5 has gone up to Rs.50.

Apparently, the auto fares have also gone up and the drivers have their own reasons.

“The cost of diesel has touched almost Rs.100 per litre. How can we cope without hiking rates?” asked Satish, an auto driver at Satyam junction.

To skip serpentine queues, a few people said they were heading to the petrol pumping stations at 4 a.m. to fill their fuel tanks.

The vegetable prices have also soared. While tomatoes and onions have been priced at Rs. 16 and Rs. 25 a kg respectively in rythu bazaars, the same was costing Rs. 50 to Rs. 75 at roadside counters.

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