Mangaluru: Vegetables were sold at soaring prices in the city as there was high demand as a result of the coronavirus lockdown on Monday, March 23.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC in the Dakshina Kannada district till March 31. People rushed to the markets and grocery shops to buy essential commodities in bulk.

As the whole country observed ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday, the goods lorries also did not enter the city in time. Hence, there was a limited stock of vegetables on Monday, which led to an increase in the prices of vegetables.

According to sources, tomatoes were sold at Rs 50 per kg and beans were sold at Rs 80 per kg. Two days ago, the price of tomatoes was just Rs 15 per kg and Rs 40 per kg for beans.

Fish vendors also demanded high prices from customers considering the increase in demand. Assuming that the grocery shops are also going to shut down in the coming days owing to the strict imposition of the prohibitory orders, people were seen thronging the shops to buy essential commodities.