Lockdown Hits Food Supply, Prices Rising

Delhi’s wholesale markets facing a shortage of essential food items with rates zooming by 20% even as govt assures action

- Munish Pandey

For it professional Mansi Upadhyay, who lives in CR Park, the past few days have been really tough. “It’s extremely difficult to get grocery and other basic commodities. What’s available is non-branded and much costlier,” she said.

Similarly, Gaurav Sharma of Jor Bagh, another South Delhi neighbourhood, said he has to pay almost 20% to 30% more for whatever goods are still available in limited quantities. “It’s going to be really hard in coming days. Prices of vegetables and fruits were already high and now rice, pulses, and flour are also costlier.”

Vendors have warned there will be very limited supplies in future as fewer trucks with goods are entering Delhi, he added.

Upadhyay and Sharma are not alone. There are thousands others who are feeling the same pinch amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown announced from March 25 to April 14 to check the spread of Coronavirus.