Mizoram is grappling with an acute shortage of essential items, including sugar, rice and pasteurised liquid milk, after traffic along National Highways 306 and 06 came to a standstill on Monday due to poor road conditions.
A grocery store owner in Aizawl, said wholesale shops have run out of basic goods. тАЬFor days now, we have not been able to get rice, pasteurised milk, sugar, eggs, or even salt. Stocks are completely gone,тАЭ he said on Wednesday, reported ET Infra.
Truckers travelling from Assam to Aizawl are taking days to cover the route because of the deteriorating condition of the AizawlтАУSilchar highway. тАЬSince Monday, when truckers stopped operations, the situation has become much worse,тАЭ he added.
The shortage has forced many families to make do with red tea without sugar and to manage without other daily essentials. Instant milk, butter, and packaged foods have disappeared from shop shelves, while supplies of edible oil, lentils, biscuits, coffee, and rice are critically low.
The crisis has also hit small businesses. Tea stalls and local eateries across Aizawl have closed, unable to source tea leaves, milk, and sugar.
Fuel availability has improved slightly after government intervention to keep filling stations operational, as a complete shortage would have disrupted public services and halted development activities.
However, construction work in the state has slowed to a near standstill due to a lack of cement, steel rods, and sand. The price of cement in Aizawl has surged from Rs 450тАУRs550 a bag to around тВ╣700 as of Wednesday.
