Odisha Govt to Import Potatoes from UP via Trains to Tackle Shortage

Bhubaneswar: In response to the ongoing potato shortage in the state, the Odisha Government has announced a new initiative to import potatoes from Uttar Pradesh via trains. State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra made the announcement on Sunday, stating that the government is working on arrangements to bring in the tuber through two train shipments.

Minister Patra revealed that discussions are underway with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to facilitate the transportation of potatoes, with the goal of easing the current crisis. This move comes after unsuccessful attempts to restore the supply of potatoes from West Bengal, which prompted Odisha to start procuring the staple from Uttar Pradesh.

However, the long-distance transportation from Uttar Pradesh led to complaints from retailers about the potatoes being damaged upon arrival, making them unsuitable for sale. Additionally, the extended transport time resulted in increased costs, causing a sharp rise in potato prices across the state.

To address these challenges, the Odisha Government is now focused on reducing the transportation time by bringing potatoes from Uttar Pradesh via trains. This method is expected to cut down the travel time to just 24 hours, thereby minimizing wastage and ensuring that potatoes reach consumers in better condition.