Potato crisis: West Bengal installs CCTV cameras to prevent transportation of potato stock via alternate routes to Odisha

At a time when the skyrocketing price of potatoes continues to burn holes in the pockets of the consumers in Odisha, neighbouring West Bengal has now installed CCTV cameras along its border to check the movement of potato-laden trucks to Odisha through alternate routes which is likely to worsen the things further.

The potato price skyrocketed in various markets of the Odisha after West Bengal government allegedly directed to halt the supply of potato to state.

Amid the short termination in the supply, several potato-laden trucks were coming to Odisha through various routes by giving bribes at the checkpoints.

Now to make things worse, the West Bengal police have now installed CCTV cameras at key locations along the Odisha-West Bengal border to restrict the movement of the trucking carrying potato stock to Odisha.

According to sources, the West Bengal police have installed CCTV cameras at Nilada village on the border and trucks are also not allowed to enter Odisha at Laxmannath toll gate.

Similarly, CCTVs have also been installed at six out of 10 escape routes on the West Bengal border with 24x7 police patrolling, sources informed. 

“The West Bengal government has installed CCTV cameras to restrict the movement of the potato-laden trucks. If such a trend continues, then the price of potatoes will increase further in the retail markets. I urge the government to take necessary action to resolve the matter,” said Nara Narayan Mishra, a resident of Bhograi.

Echoing the same, another local resident Sanatan Jena said, “While the price of the vegetable is showing no signs to come down, the rate of potato has come as a double whammy. Now with West Bengal installing CCTV cameras to stop the potato supply will further double the trouble.”

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has decided to provide three-kilo potatoes at Rs 100 to the people. The Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department on Saturday started the process to provide 10 packets of potatoes to each dealer.

The dealers have been instructed to provide 3kgs of potatoes to each family at Rs 100 to all ration card holders and other people. The process will continue till the market rates stabilise, said a senior official adding that adequate stock has been procured by the government.