Rising Yamuna levels cause jump in vegetable prices in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) The increasing water level of the Yamuna river has led to a rise in vegetable prices in the Capital city.

Sources in the various traders market associations said the rise in the level of the river, from its danger level of 204.83 m, had caused a shortage in the supply of vegetables in the Azadpur Market over the last few days, resulting in shooting up of vegetable prices in the last four to five days.

In fact, the last four to five days had witnessed an almost two fold increase in the prices of vegetables, especially those of green vegetables.

The president of the Ginger Association of the Azadpur Market Balbir Singh said the flood in the Yamuna had destroyed the entire crop of green vegetables in the areas situated along the banks of the river, resulting in reduction of their supply in the markets.

Heavy rains in the neighbouring states had also severely affected the earnings of vegetable traders, Mr Bhalla said.

In this context, he said the price of ladyfinger has increased from Rs 10 to 12 per kg to Rs 18 to 20 per kg. Further, there has also been a sharp rise in prices of beans and bitter gourd. The prices of bitter gourd have rised from Rs 8 to 10 per kg to Rs 15 to 16 per kg in the last four to five days.

Another trader said the price of potato had risen by Rs 30 to 40 per 50 kg. They said the shortage in supply of vegetables was the main reason for rise in their prices.

Areas situated on the banks of the Yamuna river account for a large supply of green vegetables like bitter gourd and ladyfinger.

Last Saturday, the levels of the Yamuna river rose above its danger level of 204.83 m to reach 205.41 m, resulting in flooding of many areas situated on the banks of the river.

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