Shortage of daily goods, construction materials

MAHENDRANAGAR, AUG 24 -

Major hilly towns of the Far-western region -- Gaura, Baitadi, Darchula and Bajhang -- are facing shortage of daily essential and other goods for the last 10 days.

After floods damaged the East-West Highway at many places, transportation of goods to the Far-western region from the eastern parts has come to a complete halt. Tarai towns such as Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar supply goods to hilly areas, but even the Tarai markets are facing shortages.

According to Doti Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the markets are facing short-supply of noodles, biscuit, oil, rice and spices, among others. And, the prices of construction materials such as cement and pipes have soared, even as it is off-season.

“It is obvious that the hilly region faces scarcity when goods are not available in Tarai towns,” said Narendra Khadka, general secretary of the Doti Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He said the hilly areas might face the shortages for a longer period as it will take some time for the goods to reach the Tarai markets.

In Dadeldhura, normal life has been affected. “The market has not faced a shortage yet, but the normal life has been affected due to disruption in transportation,” said Dwijraj Bhatta, secretary of Dadeldhura Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The prices may rise in a few days.”

In the remote areas, the prices have already surged. According to a teacher from remote Belapur village, Dharma Bahadur Air, prices of sugar, rice, ghee, oil and pulse have jumped.

Besides daily essential commodities, construction materials are also in short-supply, affecting development projects. “The prices of construction materials are likely to go up due to the shortage,” said Hari Bahadur Bista, senior vice-president of the Contractors’ Association, Dadeldhura.

Similar is the situation in Bajura. “As the majority of goods are transported to the district from Nepalgunj and Butwal, the market is facing scarcity of goods,” said Padam Bahaudur Baduwal, member of Bajura Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Traders said the prices of essential goods have already soared by 30 percent.

Kanchanpur has not seen arrival of goods from the eastern parts for the last 10 days. However, due to close proximity to Indian markets, the district has not faced much problem, when it comes to food items. “As Indian market is closer, there is not much problem for food items,” said Ganesh Dutta Joshi, President of Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, the district is facing severe shortage of construction materials. “Our inventory has been depleted,” said Dan Singh Thakurathi, a hardware trader.

Similar is the case in Kailali. Businesses say they have faced a loss of Rs 5 billion in the last 10 days. “Highway disruption affects business of Rs 500million every day,” said Jaya Raj Joshi, secretary of Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Source: The Kathmandu Post