Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 19: While the Met department’s prediction of a harsh summer this year will be bad news to most people, it comes as music to the ears of electronics showroom owners and hoteliers in the silver city who are hopeful of making hay while the sun shines.
Showrooms selling air-conditioners are literally out in the cold during the winter, as there are few takers. But come summer, and sales rise drastically. “This is the time when a lot of people buy air-conditioners and coolers. This has a positive impact on sales,” said Siba Swain, proprietor of a showroom in Buxi Bazaar.
Kalindi Samal, a resident of Link Road, said he was planning to buy an AC. “The heat will be extreme. I cannot worry about electricity bills now and have decided on buying an AC,” said Samal, whose mindset reflects the views of most of the middle-class nowadays.
“Modern ACs are very efficient as they consume less electricity and are also quite affordable, unlike before,” said Abani Prasad, owner of an electronic showroom at Bajrakabati Road, adding the competitive pricing and less maintenance costs of modern ACs will attract many first-time buyers.
Meanwhile, hotel owners too are gearing up for a change in their menus. “We will be introducing ‘dahi-pakhala’ in our menu soon,” said Bidyut Behera, a hotel owner at Link Road. With the change in season, customers’ preferences change and hotel owners have to be prepared to cater to their tastes accordingly, Behera added.
Several lassi stalls have already come up at College Square and Buxi Bazaar. “Now, all we can hope for is an uninterrupted power supply for a relatively comfortable summer,” Behera said.
