The ongoing strike in Andhra Pradesh has severely impacted the supply of essential commodities in Odisha. A large quantity of food items, particularly fish, egg and vegetable are sourced from Andhra Pradesh and other southern states daily.
While the vegetable rates in the state have gone up by an average of about 20 per cent, the traders fear prices of fish and egg will follow suit if the strike in Andhra Pradesh continues for longer time.
The traders said, transportation of different commodities from the south Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra has reduced sharply in the last two days.
"The stocks available with the wholesale traders may not last long if supplies are not restored to the normal level from across the southern neighbour," said Ch Rabindra Nath, one of the officials of Ganjam Chamber of Commerce (GCC).
The traders in south Odisha depend on almost all ration items like the atta, oil, sugar and spies from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They also procure onion from Nasik and tomato from Bangalore, which are routed through Andhra Pradesh by road.
The transpiration of these items was severely hit following the bandh called by different organisations in the neighbouring state to protest central cabinet's decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.
Sources said, the road traffic coming to a grinding halt, some villagers from border areas of Andhra Pradesh with Odisha still sneak into the state with vegetables and other stuff to sell in Berhampur market.
"We are coming to Berhampur from Palasa in Andhra Pradesh through the train as the bus services have completely stopped," said a Telugu lady hawkers.
The inter-state passenger bus services have been grounded since August 12. As many as 64 buses of the state-owned Odisha State Road Transport Corporation, Berhampur division, have diverted their routes to avoid entering the troubled areas of Andhra Pradesh. The division has incurred a huge loss due to the Andhra strike.
The bus passengers are now depending on the trains to go to various destinations in Andhra Pradesh from Odisha. The rail services have not been affected by the strike.
