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Key Points

Heavy rains have severely damaged the Aleo-Manali National Highway, disrupting vegetable supplies to Himachal Pradesh. Distributors are forced to pay high labor costs to transport goods on foot while earning zero profits. The local administration has imposed price controls preventing them from increasing retail prices. With more rainfall predicted for the next six days, the supply situation remains critical for both distributors and consumers.

Key Points: Manali Highway Damage Disrupts Himachal Vegetable Supply After Rains

  • Highway damage disrupts vegetable supply from Punjab to Himachal
  • Distributors pay Rs 200 per item for manual labor transport
  • SDM price controls prevent passing costs to consumers
  • IMD predicts six more days of rainfall in the region
2 min read

Himachal Pradesh: Vegetable suppliers affected after National Highway damaged in Manali amid heavy rains

Heavy rains damage Manali Highway, disrupting vegetable supply from Punjab. Distributors face zero profits due to high labor costs and SDM price controls.

"Our profit is zero, but the public should get the supplies - Ashish Sharma, Vegetable Distributor"

Manali, August 29

Vegetable suppliers and distributors in Himachal Pradesh's Manali are facing trouble in delivering the supplies after the Aleo-Manali National Highway was damaged in heavy rains in the state.

The disruption has significantly impacted the supply of vegetables from Punjab.

Vegetable distributor Ashish Sharma said that they are incurring a higher cost of labour for transporting the vegetables and earning no profits.

He urged the administration to expedite road restoration work.

Ashish Sharma told ANI, "The road was blocked after the floods on August 26, and we are facing trouble with transportation. We had to transport it on foot on August 28 and had to pay Rs 200 per item to the labourers, due to which the vegetables are costing us a lot. We urge the administration to begin the route as soon as possible."

He said that they cannot sell the vegetables at higher prices due to the orders by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

"We cannot sell vegetables at higher prices as per the orders by the SDM, and selling at high prices is not good in times of disasters. Our profit is zero, but the public should get the supplies. We are afraid...it is being told that it will rain for the next two to three days," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, amid continuous heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, the Chandigarh-Manali Highway was closed due to a landslide in Banala.

Heavy rainfall in the Kullu district has also led to a portion of the highway being washed away as the Beas River flows in spate.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in Kullu, predicting 5-15 mm of rainfall per hour till 12 noon today, while an orange alert has been issued in the adjacent district of Kangra.

The IMD has predicted rainfall in Himachal Pradesh for the next six days.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respect to Ashish Sharma and other suppliers who are putting public interest before profits during this difficult time. This is the true spirit of India! 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
The administration should provide some compensation or subsidy to these suppliers. They're bearing the entire burden while ensuring people get essential supplies.
S
Sneha F
We're already seeing vegetable prices shooting up in Chandigarh markets. Hope the highway is restored quickly before the situation worsens. 🥦🥕
A
Aditya G
This shows how vulnerable our supply chains are. Need better disaster management planning and alternative routes for essential commodities.
N
Nisha Z
While I appreciate the SDM's order to control prices, the government should also support the suppliers who are working in such difficult conditions. Balance is needed.

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