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STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The supply of fruits remained restricted as the fruit-laden trucks are not allowed to enter the State in view of the corona outbreak.
Fruits are an important staple for aged people with ailments and children to meet their nutritional requirements. It is a major concern as the scarcity of fruits is about to affect the markets. According to the city vendors, the stocks of fruits in cold storages will also be exhausted within a few days.
The Fancy Bazar fruit market has been closed. However, in various places fruits are being sold at sky rocketing prices.
The available fruits in the markets are: apples – Rs. 180 to Rs. 250 per kg, pomegranate – Rs. 220 per kg, sweet lime – Rs. 120 per kg, papaya – Rs. 60 per kg, watermelon – Rs. 60 per kg, banana- Rs. 20 per pair.
It is to be mentioned that the quality of the fruits are questionable and according to reports, some vendors are selling partially rotten fruits.
Talking to The Sentinel, a vendor named Ali Hussain said, “Due to the lockdown, trucks carrying fruits cannot enter the State. Shopkeepers are bringing fruits from different private cold storage facilities at Jayanagar and Sonapur.”
Another vendor from Fancy Bazar named A Khan said, “Prior to the lockdown, 80 to 100 trucks of fruits were entering Assam everyday from States like Madhya Pradesh, Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. In Guwahati, 15 to 20 trucks used to enter everyday. Some vendors used to bring their stocks in their private vehicles from Siliguri Market. But now, the lockdown is prohibiting the transportation and within a few days we will be left with no fruits. Thus far the District Administration has not taken any decision in this regard. We hope after April 20, there will be some relaxation for the fruit sellers.”