Ban or no ban, markets abuzz with cracker sales

Even as Delhi-NCR awaits the Supreme Court's final verdict whether or not firecrackers will be allowed this Diwali, the festive buzz in the Capital's markets revealed a different story.

- Gargi Shukla

Markets are witnessing huge crowds of shoppers ahead of Diwali while firecrackers are also being sold openly.

(ASHOK VASHIST/HT PHOTO)

Despite a blanket ban on their manufacture, sale, storage and use, firecrackers are being sold openly across several parts of the city, an HT visit to Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and Sadar Bazaar found.

Last week, the apex court reserved its verdict on petitions filed by manufacturers against the permanent ban. The Centre, at the hearing, recommended restricting sales to licensed traders and barring online platforms from facilitating firecrackers sales in Delhi-NCR.

The lanes of Sadar Bazaar on Sunday and Monday were alive with Diwali shoppers, with many discreetly enquiring about and buying crackers. HT spotted at least 10 vendors — three of them on the main road - selling packets of bombs and sparklers, some kept hidden under tables or behind cartons of sweets.