Cracker ban: Shops closed in Delhi but Gurgaon sellers unaware of 'any ban'
While cracker shops in Delhi (left) are closed due to the ban, crackers are freely available in Gurgaon (right...Read More
Last week, the Delhi government imposed a blanket ban on firecrackers from Nov 7-30 due to the city’s worsening air quality and concerns about COVID-19 patients’ health due to the cracker smoke. On November 9, the National Green Tribunal imposed its own ban on sale and use of crackers in all districts of the National Capital Region (NCR) from Nov 9-30. When we visited markets in Delhi and Gurgaon on November 9, we found that while the ban is very much in effect in Delhi, retailers in Gurgaon are still selling crackers, mostly unaware of the ban.
Cracker shops in places such as Dariba Kalan, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar and Gurgaon are normally abuzz with activity this close to Diwali. However, this year, barring a few places in Gurgaon, all wholesale cracker shops are shut, with most having removed their boards and banners as well. To passers-by, there isn’t anything about the shops that gives the impression that they are cracker shops. A firecracker shop owner from Laxmi Nagar says, “The ban is strict and all cracker shops have been shut since the Delhi government order. Till a few days ago, people had been coming to ask and calling, so we removed the posters and boards from the shop, too.” Small neighbourhood shops are still selling small amounts of crackers they had bought from wholesalers before the ban. But even this sale is being done in a hush-hush manner. Keerat, a Tilak Nagar resident, who bought crackers worth Rs 500 from a local shop, tells us, “Small shops are keeping some crackers and selling them for 10-20% higher rates. They don’t display them but if you ask, they get them from inside the shop.”
In contrast, crackers are readily available across Gurgaon. Most sellers say they are unaware about any ban and haven’t received instructions from the authorities. When we visited two markets – Sector 56 and Sushant Lok – on November 9 morning, there were families buying crackers openly. A seller from Sector 56 said that he was unaware of any ban, and said, “ Ban toh Delhi mein hai, Gurgaon mein nahi.”
As per the NGT order, only green crackers, which are considered to be less polluting, are to be sold in cities and towns where air quality is moderate. The NGT also restricted the timing of use to two hours, as specified by the state. However, the aforementioned green crackers are unavailable in most places. “Green crackers are available in limited quantities. Who sab toh shuru mein hi bik gaye. Log ab bhi maangte hain but we only have leftovers of the regular crackers,” says a seller from Gurgaon’s DLF Phase 4.
- With inputs from Ajay Kumar Gautam
The ban is in full effect in Delhi with most cracker shops being closed
Cracker shops in places such as Dariba Kalan, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar and Gurgaon are normally abuzz with activity this close to Diwali. However, this year, barring a few places in Gurgaon, all wholesale cracker shops are shut, with most having removed their boards and banners as well. To passers-by, there isn’t anything about the shops that gives the impression that they are cracker shops. A firecracker shop owner from Laxmi Nagar says, “The ban is strict and all cracker shops have been shut since the Delhi government order. Till a few days ago, people had been coming to ask and calling, so we removed the posters and boards from the shop, too.” Small neighbourhood shops are still selling small amounts of crackers they had bought from wholesalers before the ban. But even this sale is being done in a hush-hush manner. Keerat, a Tilak Nagar resident, who bought crackers worth Rs 500 from a local shop, tells us, “Small shops are keeping some crackers and selling them for 10-20% higher rates. They don’t display them but if you ask, they get them from inside the shop.”
In contrast, crackers are readily available across Gurgaon. Most sellers say they are unaware about any ban and haven’t received instructions from the authorities. When we visited two markets – Sector 56 and Sushant Lok – on November 9 morning, there were families buying crackers openly. A seller from Sector 56 said that he was unaware of any ban, and said, “ Ban toh Delhi mein hai, Gurgaon mein nahi.”
Families were seen buying crackers openly in Sushant Lok, Gurgaon
As per the NGT order, only green crackers, which are considered to be less polluting, are to be sold in cities and towns where air quality is moderate. The NGT also restricted the timing of use to two hours, as specified by the state. However, the aforementioned green crackers are unavailable in most places. “Green crackers are available in limited quantities. Who sab toh shuru mein hi bik gaye. Log ab bhi maangte hain but we only have leftovers of the regular crackers,” says a seller from Gurgaon’s DLF Phase 4.
- With inputs from Ajay Kumar Gautam
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