Prices of local room coolers go up

Last year, price for filling room coolers with khus was Rs2,100, which has now increased to between Rs3,000-3500

RAWALPINDI:

The demand and sales of Lahori desi room coolers have surged in the open market because of the extremely hot weather in Rawalpindi. Various new designs from different companies have entered the market, while shops, stalls, and kiosks for filling these indigenous Lahori room coolers with khus (a type of grass used for cooling) have sprung up everywhere.

Due to inflation, shopkeepers have also increased the prices for filling Lahori desi coolers with khus. Last year, the price for filling room coolers with khus was Rs2,100, which has now increased to between Rs3,000 and Rs3,500. A single khus filling costs Rs3,000, while a double khus filling is priced at Rs3,500. Additionally, the price of water-sucking motors for desi room coolers has also risen.

This year, the prices of locally-made room coolers have gone beyond the purchasing power of many people. A two-by-three-foot local room cooler is now sold for Rs18,000, and a three-by-five-foot new Lahori cooler is priced at Rs25,000. Ship-size desi room coolers are being sold for Rs35,000.

There has also been an increase in shops producing Lahori desi room coolers on regular orders. Due to the intense heat, the prices of new air-conditioned company-designed room coolers have become unaffordable for middle-class people.