New Delhi: The three-day deadline set by the Supreme Court for the sale of firecrackers in Delhi ahead of Diwali ended on Friday, 6 November. As soon as the stipulated period was over, licensed shopkeepers shut their shops, but in several markets the illegal sale of firecrackers continued till late night. This has raised questions over compliance with rules and administrative monitoring in the capital.
On the last day of sales, crowds of buyers were seen in the Paiwalan area near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. People arrived at authorised shops to buy firecrackers. At the same time, complaints emerged of unlicensed sale of firecrackers by street vendors around shops and in lanes. In Paiwalan, more than 50 temporary vendors were reported to be openly selling firecrackers. Illegal sales were also reported from areas such as Sadar Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh.
The Supreme Court had permitted the sale of only certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR from 4 to 6 November at designated locations. It was mandatory for every packet to carry a QR code related to the product. The sale of traditional firecrackers, barium-based fireworks and cracker strings had been banned.
Licensed shopkeepers said they complied with the court’s directions and closed their businesses when the deadline ended, while illegal vendors continued selling without any permission. Traders who followed the rules said they suffered losses because of this.
According to the Supreme Court order, green crackers can be burst on 7 and 8 November only from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. Fireworks are prohibited within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes and notified silence zones. A complete ban on firecrackers will come into force again from 9 November.
