FEBRUARY traditionally brings a rise in the price of roses as Valentine’s Day celebrations boost demand, but this year the increase has been unusually steep, touching nearly 40 per cent above normal levels. The sharp escalation has turned the season of romance into a far more expensive affair, with traders attributing the spike to the rare overlap of peak wedding dates and Valentine week. Only a few weeks ago, standard roses were retailing between Rs 7.5 and Rs 10 per stem. The same flowers are now selling for Rs 22.5 to Rs 25, well above the typical February average of about Rs 15. Premium blooms have reached nearly Rs 30 per stem, while other varieties that usually cost around Rs 10 have jumped to Rs 40 to Rs 42.50. Retailers warn that as Valentine’s Day approaches, wholesale prices could climb toward Rs 50 per stem, following patterns seen in previous high-demand years. of the 38 Prabhags of NMC. Right now there are 13 English medium schools run by NMC and plan is to scale their numbers in coming time.

 

Responding to querries, the Mayor said, the responsibility entrusted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a golden opportunity to deliver upon the promises made to electorate. The focus now shifts on overcoming challenges of governance to deliver on promises made to the electorate. Consistenct the key: Thanking Nagpurians for a decisive mandate to BJP in the recently held civic elections, Thakre further said, the elected councillors are well aware of the responsibility that now lies on their shoulder. Laying out a road map for her tenure, Mayor said, as of now the need is to live upto expectations of the people, as BJP in earlier term at NMC has done quite well on various fronts, and we need to maintain consistency. Health: Another focus area is going to be on health, the Mayor said, saying the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) would be further strengthened. There numbers would be increased to cover-up the gaps in the existing infrastructure. At present, NMC runs 54 UPHC and 20 Health and Wellness Centres and we would strive to increase the facilities available to citizens. Strict implementation of RWH Although as of now Nagpur city does not have any trouble on drinking water term, the Mayor Neeta Thakre however batted for strict implementation of Rain Water Harvesting in all the buildings.

 

There is provision for compulsory RWH or NMC can withhold sanction to building plan. The need is to strictly enforce the rule and the Mayor said, she is going to hold talks with administration in this regard. In fact, if needed the House would also invoke penal provision so to ensure all buildings adhere to norms. Jayant Rannavare, President of the Mahatma Phule Pushpa Utpadak Association, said the wedding season had created exceptional pressure on supply. According to him, Indian demand for roses always rises in mid-February, but the addition of large-scale marriage ceremonies has tightened availability. The resulting scarcity has pushed retail prices far beyond the normal seasonal rise. Astrological calendars have played an unexpected role in the crisis. Wedding dates were largely absent from December 13, 2025 until February 1 this year, creating a backlog of ceremonies now concentrated in a short window. February 2026 contains the highest number of auspicious muhurts, while the final date for the year falls on July 11, with the next opening only in January 2027. Families have therefore rushed to organise weddings this month, sharply increasing demand for floral decorations. Wholesale rates mirror the retail surge.

 

Rannavare noted that red roses, which earlier sold at about Rs 20 per stem, now fetch close to Rs 40. Coloured varieties command even higher prices because they must be sourced from Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru, adding transport costs and exposing traders to inter-city price fluctuations. Red roses remain relatively abundant in local markets, yet even these are under strain. Florists expect demand to fall rapidly once Valentine week ends, as it does every year. During the summer months, consumers typically shift toward decorative flowers such as gerbera and orchids, easing pressure on rose growers. For now, however, lovers and wedding planners alike face the highest February prices in recent memory, driven by a rare collision of romance and ritual.