Highway closure causes rise in prices of edibles in valley

Srinagar, May 04, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the suspension of civilian traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway for two days a week has led to hike in the prices of essential commodities. The prices of essential commodities and eatables have increased on average by over 30 percent since the highway closure order was issued by the authorities on April 03, 2019.

Media reports said everybody, from a retailer to a wholesaler, puts the onus of steep rise of prices on two-day highway ban. “Normally peas at this time of the year were sold at Rs 30-40 per kg, but currently it is priced above Rs 60. Similarly the price of onions per kg has gone above Rs 40. It was sold at Rs 15 per Kg before the ban,” reports added.

The reports said against the approved rate, the mutton is being sold at Rs 450 per kilogram and prices of fruits being imported from Indian states has also increased manifold. The brunt of this steep rise of prices is directly being faced by the common people, as this hike is making hole in their pockets, the reports said.

“This time we cannot blame dealers as the highway closure has created imbalance in demand and supply of almost everything in the Valley,” said Ajaz Ahmed, a resident of Soura area of Srinagar.

Chairman of All Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Growers Union, Bashir Ahmed Bashir, in a media interview said the closure of Srinagar-Jammu Highway has resulted in steep increase in prices of commodities.

“The prices of edibles particularly fruits and vegetables have increased by over 30 percent,” he said, adding 90 percent of eatables are being imported from India to Kashmir, particularly at this time of the year. A senior official of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department also blamed two-day highway closure for hike in prices of essentials in occupied Kashmir.

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