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Despite a decline in cracker sales over the past four years due to increased awareness of the environmental impact of high-decibel crackers, wholesale traders in Uttar Pradesh are optimistic about reaching a business of ₹300 crore this season, compared to ₹200 crore last year. They are banking on the “overall market recovery” in the post-Covid era.
Hemant Chandna, the president of the State Cracker Traders’ Association in Mainpuri, expressed optimism about improved sales, stating, “The market is recovering after the Covid era, and we expect better sales this time.”
Despite the Supreme Court extending the ban on firecrackers containing barium to all states, not just the Delhi-NCR region, which is dealing with severe air pollution, traders are hopeful. The Supreme Court had imposed the ban in October 2018 to curb air and sound pollution. Municipal corporations have also launched campaigns to minimize cracker usage during the festival.
Hemant Chandna highlighted the emergence of environmentally friendly crackers in the market after the ban on conventional fireworks. District magistrate Suryapal Gangwar emphasized the administration’s commitment to reducing pollution by following the Supreme Court’s orders, including relocating cracker shops away from populated areas.
Akhilesh Gupta, president of the Lucknow Cracker Traders’ Association, noted that this year, 40 licensed traders have set up stalls at Kakori market, and 16 stalls are positioned at Rastogi Inter College. About 1,100 small cracker traders will establish stalls at 60 locations in the city.
In 2022, retail cracker sales across India, excluding Delhi, totaled approximately ₹6,000 crore. In Uttar Pradesh, wholesale sales were between ₹190-250 crore. This year, traders anticipate sales to reach ₹300 crore.
