Kolkata: The increase in price of packaged water is giving a tough time to consumers. They have to pay Rs 5 to Rs 10 more for each bottle.
The price of 10 litre and 5 litre water bottles have increased by Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively across different brands .According to the distributors, the rise in prices of raw materials and increase in transportation expenses has led to the present condition .The reason for availing packaged water is poor quality of tap water. Ajoy Dolui, a Mukundapur resident said, “Maintenance of water purifyer is challenging in areas that don’t get filtered water from taps. We need two 20-litre jars a week and the price has been raised by Rs 20.”
Abhirup Basu, a Kamalgaji resident said, “Water is an essential item and its price should not be raised in such a way that it pinches in pocket. ”Akshat Poddar, managing director of a company manufacturing and marketing packaged drinking water conceded that the price has been increased due to the geopolitical tension. “Raw materials used for water treatment and packaging has become costlier and transport cost has also gone up,” he said.
Pradip Maiti, a dealer of packaged drinking water, said bottles with revised prices have reached the retail market. “Bisleri and Aquafina 10 litre jars, which I supply to customers, are now priced at Rs 100. The 5-litre jars were previously sold at Rs 60 and now the price has been raised to Rs 65. Kinley jars have been out of stock for long. The half litre and one-litre bottles may also get costlier.”
Dibakar Das, who supplies packaged water to houses along EM Bypass, stated that he was procuring each 20 litre jar from a dealer by paying Rs 10 extra. “While selling, I am charging Rs 10 more, and this is my profit. Earlier, this jar did cost Rs 150, and now its price has become Rs 170,” he said.
Sudip Ghosal, another dealer, stated that the price escalation of branded water jars will also increase the price of ones made by local manufacturers. “If a Bisleri jar is Rs 100, a local jar is available at half of its price. But most households prefer taking branded packaged water for daily consumption. The price hike will either force many customers to switch over to products or make alternative arrangements,” he said.