Bhubaneswar: Potato crisis appears to have deepened further in Odisha as the tuber has virtually disappeared from major markets in the state. Potato stock is reportedly getting depleted fast in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other commercial centres in the state.
According to traders, no truck carrying potato arrived at the wholesale market at Chhatra Bazar in Cuttack and the price of the tuber has again started rising.
The price of potato, which had come down to Rs 35 per kg in the last few days, has now shot up to Rs 50 a kilo in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, sources said.
Similar situation is witnessed in state capital Bhubaneswar as potato has disappeared from godowns in the city. No consignment of potato has arrived at Aiginia godown in Bhubaneswar during the last two to three days, traders said.
“There is hardly any stock as no potato consignment came from West Bengal. They are demanding bribe and not allowing trucks carrying potato to move into Odisha. Some trucks managed to come after paying bribe,” claimed a godown owner.
Similarly, no potato consignment came from Uttar Pradesh despite claims by the state government about supply from the northern state. The state may face a serious potato crisis if potato consignment does not come soon, traders said.
Truck with potatoes from West Bengal are getting stranded at the border and due to undue delay, the stock is getting damaged, they said.
Notably, the state government had claimed that potatoes are being procured from Uttar Pradesh after West Bengal indulged in ‘blackmailing.’ The government also claimed on Monday that steps may be taken to procure potatoes from Punjab, if necessary.
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