Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is grappling with soaring prices of essential kitchen staples, severely impacting household budgets. From May 1 to May 20, prices for daily vegetables and fruits have skyrocketed due to a combination of extreme heatwaves and rising fuel costs influenced by geopolitical tensions in West Asia. For instance, the price of tomatoes surged from ₹10 to ₹30-40 per kg, reflecting a 250% increase, while green chillies saw an alarming rise of 460%, now costing ₹60-80 per kg. Imported fruits are also becoming more expensive, with pomegranates increasing by 39.6% and apples by 34.5%. Market experts attribute these price hikes to transport bottlenecks and increased reliance on inter-state imports, as local agricultural production struggles to meet demand. Although some seasonal crops like pumpkin and ridge gourd have seen slight price reductions, the overall trend indicates a challenging economic environment for consumers. Local vendors highlight that transportation costs are a significant factor, further exacerbated by the ongoing heatwaves.