AGARTALA, October 19 (TIWN): Vegetable prices have soared in the City, ahead of Diwali and traders say that prices are likely to rule, remain high until after the festival. The rise in the prices is attributed to the poor arrivals of vegetables, especially those vegetables from the Shillong and other centers.

While the prices of most vegetables have gone up by 40 to 70 per cent over the past few days, the price of tomato has doubled and was selling at Rs.80-90 per kg.

Other vegetables such as beans (Rs.45), carrot (Rs.60) and potato (Rs.40) have all gone up. Even locally grown brinjal was selling at Rs.80 per kg, up from the usual rate of Rs.40-45.

Because of the high rates in the wholesale markets in the City, small traders and vendors were not lifting stocks. This was another reason for the high prices in many parts, said a trader from the Durga Chownohani vegetable market. This is quite a usual phenomenon in the Diwali season every year. But this year, the rise in prices of essential commodities seems to have impacted on the purchasing power of people, said a trader of M.G bazaar.

Amit Roy who sells vegetables at both wholesale and retail rates in Battala Bazar said, "I have been in this business for the last 15 years, but I have never seen prices skyrockettng like this.

With the prices of vegetables shooting sky high, most housewives are now looking for alternatives like using less onion to prepare their daily meals. Many have also started relying on ready-to-cook packets as well.