Bhubaneswar: As the West Bengal government has imposed restrictions on supply of potatoes to Odisha, the State government has decided to bring the vegetable from Uttar Pradesh.
In the first lot, 300 trucks loaded with potatoes are expected to reach Odisha on Monday, informed Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra here today.
Speaking to media persons, shri Patra said, “At least 300 trucks loaded with potatoes are already on their way. I’m hopeful they will reach Odisha by tomorrow.”
Stating that the potato price has slightly increased in the State, the Minister said the prices will go back to normal rates after the trucks unload in Odisha.
As per reports, there are around 7 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes in West Bengal. The neighbouring state requires 5 lakh metric tonnes and can give to Odisha the remaining 2 lakh metric tonnes. But, they have stopped the supply chain, he said.
The traders said potatoes, which were selling at Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg in the Odisha markets four days ago, now increased to Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg. If the supply cannot be restored, the price may again go up, they said.
Odisha requires around 4,500 tonnes of potato daily to meet its needs. The state mostly depends on West Bengal to meet this need.