Pollution board officials say city is headed for quiet Diwali this year, as sale of crackers hasn’t picked up yet even at usual hubs. Vendors say people are not interested in crackers and that their business is suffering
BENGALURU: Sixty-five-year-old Syed Pir sets out to sell firecrackers on his cart five days before Diwali. He has been in this business for the last 15 years selling crackers for five days while selling bananas the rest of the year. He was baffled when he managed to sell crackers worth only `200 on his first day this year, as opposed to `2,000 last year.
Dr Lakshmikanth of the state awareness committee of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), guarantees that this year, the burning of crackers will reduce by 20 per cent as compared to last year. Another official from KSPCB says that pollution levels during Diwali has seen a decrease in the past four years. City Express steps out to find why Bengaluru will have a comparatively silent Diwali this year.
SC ban confusing fireworks sellers here
The Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region has confused a lot of traders in other cities, including Bengaluru. “The licenses issued this time were also fewer in Bengaluru thanks to the SC order,” says Dr Lakshmikanth. Even vendors selling firecrackers in residential areas such as Vasanth Nagar, say they are confused about the ban and getting licenses to sell crackers.
The heavy rains in the city is another contributing factor. The otherwise festive grounds in Ulsoor, Malleswaram and Shivajinagar are still barren, and the usual Diwali stalls haven’t come up even four days before the festival. The KSPCB has taken an initiative along with the BBMP to make this year’s Diwali community-driven.
“The idea is to get residents to burn crackers in one common ground instead of at or in front of their houses. This way, pollution can be regulated and measures can be taken to ensure cleanliness,” says a pollution control board official. However, residents say that they have not heard about this initiative, and even if implemented, it would be a total failure as grounds are too damp because of the rains.
Lakshman, chairman of KSPCB, issued a notice on Friday stating seven points to ensure a safe Diwali, which includes a ban on bursting of crackers from 10pm to 6 am. This is the first time an awareness programme is launched prior to this festival, says the official.
‘People can’t afford crackers’
Why are Syed’s cracker sales 10 per cent lesser than last year? He blatantly says that “people are unable to afford it.” His cart full of crackers cost him `20,000, as opposed to previous years when he would purchase the same amount for `12,000. Nataraj Firecracker store in Shivajinagar, which has been selling crackers for the last 60 years, blames GST for bringing sales down. “Earlier, it used to be 14.5 percent GST on crackers, and now it is 28 percent. Our business is at stake,” says Anil Kumar. Anil also adds that people are not as interested as they used to be in firecrackers.
Hosur Road, which is usually filled with firecrack vendors, is still quiet, but a police official says that stalls are likely to open two days before the festival. “Attibele has some permanent firecracker stalls, and since it is a once-a-year business, they will open shop soon,” he says. Hosur Road sees firecracker sellers coming from Sivakasi and selling them here at a cheaper rate.
EVS in schools helping awareness levels
A senior official at KSPCB says that the silent Diwali trend is all the rage now, mainly because of the introduction of environmental science subjects in schools. “Earlier, the subject was not available to middle schools and junior school, but the introduction of it has made a huge difference and we can see it during festival time,” he says.
Pollution levels to come down again?
Last year on Diwali, the maximum level of particulate matter touched 436g/m3, and the average was 11 g/ m3. The average CO levels remained at 56g/ m3. KSPCB officials had said at the time that pollution levels were much lesser in comparison to 2015.
Will bans curb cracker bursting?
Delhi: Last Monday, the SC reinstated its ban on the sale of firecrackers in and around New Delhi till November 1, a step aimed to prevent toxic air from engulfing the region like it did last year.
Punjab, Haryana: The Punjab and Haryana High Court restricted bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to three hours– from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The court also issued guidelines for granting temporary licences to firecracker sellers.
Mumbai: The Bombay HC has reiterated that there should be no sale of fire crackers in residential areas this Diwali. Environment minister Ramdas Kadam has come out in support of a pollution-free Diwali, and said he will it take up with CM Fadnavis.