New Delhi: As you stroll through the lanes of Old Delhi, you'll notice some shuttered shops that used to buzz with life during the Diwali season, with eager crowds lining up to buy firecrackers. But following a sweeping ban on crackers in Delhi, many of these storefronts now stand silent. So, does that mean people have given up on buying crackers? Not quite!
"There are several places in the city where certain shops have specific hours—usually early in the morning—when they sell fireworks. The locals are already in the know, and through word-of-mouth, people from other areas also flock to these locations to stock up," said Ajit, a resident of Laxmi Nagar.
These shops continue to operate under the guise of selling other items, offering firecrackers at prices that are nearly double the price or more. "For example, a packet of sky shots costs Rs 1,000, sparklers are priced at Rs 700 and a garland (ladi) containing 10,000 pieces goes for Rs 7,000," added Ajit.
Last year, noise levels during Diwali were in the range of 53.7-84.5 dB(A), with Karol Bagh being the loudest. The normal range is 46.4-69.5 dB(A). Most areas experienced an increase in decibel levels last year compared with 2022. Another significant factor—pollution—was also a big indicator, with AQI shooting up in just a few hours. The high levels of toxins and the heaviness in the throat made it evident that the air was far from clear of smoke. So, how is Delhi getting its supply?
With the ban fully in effect only in Delhi, many youngsters started travelling to Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida for their stock, with some even venturing as far as Sohna and Meerut. "Setting off firecrackers on Diwali is a cherished tradition for me as I've been doing it since childhood. That's why I go to Faridabad with my friends to pick up some crackers. No one ever stopped us since the ban was implemented. In fact, it hardly feels like a ban at all, as you can hear the crackling in the evenings and nights—not just on Diwali itself, but in the days leading up to it," said a resident of Jaitpur.
Cross-border sales have significantly increased firecracker revenue in neighbouring areas, with sellers reporting a marked surge in demand. Many of these sellers are capitalising on the situation by offering standard firecrackers but labelling them as ‘green crackers' to circumvent regulations and appeal to consumers looking for environmentally friendly options.
Residents living near Noida border have reported that there are almost no checks in place regarding the transportation of firecrackers, allowing sellers to operate with relative impunity. This lack of oversight has made it easier for individuals to get crackers from regions where restrictions are less stringent, further complicating efforts to enforce the ban.
In response to these ongoing challenges, law enforcement officials said they were actively working to address the situation. "We have measures in place and multiple teams deployed in the border regions to tackle this issue," said a police officer.
Even if individuals don't cross borders themselves to obtain supplies, local sellers—such as paan vendors, cigarette sellers or flower stall owners—are often willing to sell firecrackers or source them. A resident of Vasundhara Enclave said that he calls a paan vendor in his locality, who charges a fee for home delivery of the products. "I'm not sure where he gets them from, but it could be from Noida as it is nearby. However, he doesn't do it for everyone who calls him as there is a fear of getting caught," he said.
Additionally, some suppliers have stocked their homes or shops with firecrackers and are reaching potential customers through WhatsApp or Telegram groups. "One person has shared a series of pictures of the crackers available with him in our WhatsApp group, including bombs, rockets and sparklers. He's selling them at slightly higher prices. Once you express interest, you pay online and then pick them up from a location he specifies," said a 25-year-old from Dwarka.
With Diwali almost here, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold this year as the rise in noise levels and alarming pollution readings serve as stark reminders of the festival's impact on the environment, raising questions about the sustainability of these celebrations.