The prolonged transit has resulted in heavy spoilage of perishable items such as fish, onions and potatoes, further aggravating shortages in local markets
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal: Prolonged disruptions along National Highway-2 (NH-2), Manipur’s principal supply corridor, have triggered an acute shortage of essential commodities in Imphal, with the crisis escalating beyond rising prices to widespread scarcity as stocks in markets and retail outlets continue to decline.
The blockade on the Imphal-Dimapur highway has severely disrupted the movement of goods into the state, leaving traders struggling to replenish essential supplies. Although National Highway-37, connecting Imphal with Jiribam, remains operational, its ability to meet demand has been constrained by difficult terrain, recurring landslides and extended travel time.
According to traders, trucks carrying essential commodities from outside the state are now taking between 25 days and nearly a month to reach Imphal, compared to only a few days under normal conditions. The prolonged transit has resulted in heavy spoilage of perishable items such as fish, onions and potatoes, further aggravating shortages in local markets.
The disruption has also affected major supermarkets and wholesale outlets, many of which have reported dwindling inventories and empty shelves due to the non-arrival of fresh consignments. Traders said the shortage has become increasingly severe over the past few weeks as existing stocks continue to be exhausted.
Prices of several essential commodities have also remained elevated in Imphal markets. Onions are retailing at around Rs 70 per kg, potatoes at Rs 40 per kg, garlic at approximately Rs 180 per kg, Mairongbi toor dal at Rs 140 per kg, Kangtak at Rs 75 per kg and masoor dal between Rs 90 and Rs 100 per kg.
The supply crisis has been compounded by seasonal factors. Local vegetable production has declined following the end of the summer harvesting season, while winter crops are yet to reach the markets. With reduced local output and limited inflow of supplies from outside the state, the availability of fresh vegetables has dropped sharply, raising concerns that shortages could intensify in the coming weeks if normal transport operations are not restored.
Traders and consumers have expressed concern over the prolonged disruption, warning that continued blockades on NH-2 could further strain the supply chain and lead to additional shortages of essential commodities across the state.
