NGOs stir: Vegetable prices soar

Heavy rush at train reservation counters

Guntur: Ahead of NGO strike starting Monday midnight, prices of vegetables skyrocketed in Guntur with onion sold at Rs 50 a kg as against usual price of Rs 20. Traders predict that the price of onion may shoot to Rs 70 in the next two days.

Anticipating transportation problem owing to the indefinite strike call, a large number of consumers stormed Rytu Bazars in the city to purchase vegetables. Going by the demand, the traders have been making a fast buck.

On the other hand, there has been a sudden spurt for train tickets as RTC buses may go off the roads as part of the strike. Moreover, commuters are preferring trains to buses as the Samaikyandhra agitators frequently organise rasta roko everywhere.

The RTC strike has prompted the people to opt for trains to reach destinations like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Amalapuram, Puttaparthi and Srisailam. Heavy rush of passengers was seen at all the train reservation counters. Reservation facility is not easily available for express trains like Narayanadri, Visakha, Falaknuma, Janmabhoomi, Narsapur and Prasanti. Tickets for sleeper and AC categories are already sold out. Long waiting list for tickets to all these trains is reflecting the difficulties of passengers. Banking on the demand, private bus operators have increased ticket fares abnormally.

Innovative protest

Ponnur: In an innovative protest against State division, Samaikyandhra supporters gathered at ‘Amarajeevi’ Potti Sriramulu statue here standing on their knees. They also sported flowers in ears.

Students support NGO stir

Ongole: The Samaik yandhra Student JAC has decided to extend total support to the indefinite strike of the NGOs.