Overview

• Monali Dambre, an IIT Bombay graduate, shared her concerns on X about the rising cost of living, noting that even tier-3 cities are becoming expensive.
• Her post detailed unusually high grocery bills in Bengaluru, even for basic staples, and questioned how middle- and lower-income families are coping.
• The post has gone viral, prompting social media users to share personal anecdotes comparing local markets and quick-commerce app prices.
• Some users reported that produce in tier-2 and tier-3 towns is cheaper and of better quality than in metro areas like Bengaluru.
• National data shows food and grocery inflation exceeding the usual 5–6% range, driven by factors like rupee depreciation, high real estate rents, and supply chain disruptions.