Jagran correspondent, Badaun. Due to westerly winds the minimum temperature has fallen to seven degrees Celsius. Due to cold winds and freezing winter, common people are resorting to bonfires to get relief. In such a situation, people are in need of wood and coal. Although their prices have remained normal till now, shopkeepers say that if the cold continues like this then the prices of coal and wood may increase in the coming days. At present, wood and coal sellers are already saying that their sales have increased significantly this year as compared to last year.
People are now completely dependent on bonfires to protect themselves from the cold. Be it city or rural areas, bonfires can be seen burning everywhere. Bonfires are being lit with wood, coal and cow dung cakes in the city's localities, intersections, bus stands, railway stations and public places. Due to sudden increase in demand, there is a sharp rise in their prices, which is putting additional burden on the pockets of the common man.
Tamarind coal is being sold at Rs 45 per kg
In view of the cold, stone coal is being sold at Rs 25 and tamarind coal at Rs 45 per kg in the market. Apart from this, wood for alava is also being sold in the market at Rs 7 to 8 per kg. The same Kande are also being sold in hundreds for Rs 200 to Rs 300 each. Suresh, a resident of Jogipura locality of the city, said that more tea is being sold in the cold, but people are not able to sit for long. While washing his hands, he drinks tea and immediately leaves. The cost of coal has already increased.
The severe cold is affecting the elderly, children, laborers and the needy living on the footpaths the most. Cold remains a problem for those living in the open at night. Doctors have advised people to wear warm clothes, cover their heads and ears, take warm water and nutritious food and avoid going out unnecessarily in the morning and evening.
Overall, the shivering cold and cold wave have stopped the pace of the district and people are forced to spend the chilly nights with the help of bonfire. Due to continuous cold, the prices of wood, coal and cow dung cakes may increase further in the coming days. Madan, a wood seller, said that every year it is cold but this time the melting is more. The demand for wood has increased greatly, while the supply is limited. The wood already in stock is being sold. Therefore the prices of wood have not increased. Wood which is currently being sold at Rs 7 per kg may reach Rs 10 per kg in the coming days. Coal prices remain stable, fear of increase
Coal seller Ajmal said that people come to buy coal right from the morning. Can't survive without bonfire in winter. Earlier people used to buy coal only for essential purposes. Now they are resorting to other means to escape the shivering cold. Told that stone coal is being sold for Rs 25 and tamarind coal for Rs 45. It was sold at the same price last year also. Told that if such cold continues for ten more days, coal may become expensive.