Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam has experienced a surge in tourist footfalls with visitors thronging places like R.K. Beach, Rushikonda, Kailasagiri Hill, Tenneti Park, Bheemli and Yendada.
However, many of them are bitter about shopkeepers selling items at prices higher than the maximum retail price (MRP).
Several shopkeepers have increased prices, citing elevated costs and need to cover expenses, including transportation. Tourists are upset, as the rates are exploitative. “This dampens our joy of visiting Visakhapatnam,” one of the tourists remarked.
Shopkeepers say they are compelled to charge extra, as Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has imposed high electricity charges on them. They say VMRDA charges ₹18 per unit, making it challenging for businesses to sustain operations without adjusting prices.
Responding to this claim, VMRDA executive engineer (Electrical) Rama Raju told Deccan Chronicle that the actual cost of electricity is ₹13 per unit, which they provide to shopkeepers at a rate of ₹12 per unit.
This raises questions about legitimacy of shopkeepers charging high prices.
