Fed up of standing in long queues for hours before Udyan Fresh outlets to get a kilo of potatoIJ Wait a few days more, you won’t have to do that. Smooth supply of potatoes will be restored by Tuesday after the tuber reaches here from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, sources said.
“Since, West Bengal Government delayed in responding to our request, we have arranged potatoes from other States. We have talked to the traders’ associations too to import potatoes from Bihar and Kanpur (UP). The crisis may continue for three more days till the vehicles reach here,” Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Keshari Deb said, adding, “Potato-laden trucks have already left Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for Odisha.”
He stated that steps are being taken to bring the vegetable from cold storages in Rayagada and Koraput districts. While speaking to the media at an event here on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also assured that early the problem would be solved soon. “The Government is closely monitoring the situation. Normalcy will be restored soon,” he said.
After days of crisis, finally the essential vegetable made the vanishing act on Friday from mandis and markets including Chhatrabazar and Bidanasi of Cuttack and Unit-1 market of Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Brahmapur. Consumers were found making beeline in front of Udyan Fresh outlets to buy potatoes at fixed price of Rs 22 a kg due to short supply.