Bengaluru, 30 Oct

As the festival of lights approaches, Bengaluru finds itself at a crossroads between tradition and environmental responsibility. Despite a regulatory push to promote eco-friendly celebrations, the demand for traditional firecrackers remains high, particularly on the City’s outskirts, leading to a concerning divide among residents.

City divided

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued licenses for only 456 stalls to sell green crackers—fireworks made with reduced harmful chemicals intended to minimise pollution and sound levels. However, reports indicate that many stalls, especially in areas such as Attibele, Chandapura, Hebbagodi, and Surya Nagar, are allegedly flouting regulations by selling non-green variants instead.

The State government, in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines, implemented a ban on traditional firecrackers to curb pollution. Additionally, it has mandated that crackers can only be burst between 8pm and 10pm. However, the enforcement of these regulations appears inconsistent, and many shopkeepers are caught in a dilemma.

Vendors’ dilemma

Shopkeepers like Ramraj from Attibele told Salar News, “We need to do business, and we’re following safety measures. If we don’t sell non-green crackers, our customers will simply go to Hosur in Tamil Nadu to buy them.” He added that there seems to be little interest in green crackers, despite their eco-friendly benefits.

Naveen Kumar, another vendor from Hebbagodi, echoed these concerns. "We have obtained permits and paid taxes, including GST. Yet, some vendors sell firecrackers from Hosur without any permits or taxes," he said, highlighting the challenges of competing with illegal sellers.

While many attribute this to a lack of awareness, dealers admit that their primary concern this festive season is to maximise profits, which will only happen if they sell the non-green cracker variants.

Residents are encouraged to reach out to the helplines at 9481740137 or 08026707176 in case of emergencies.

BBMP, police crackdown on firecracker sales ahead of Deepavali

With Deepavali right around the corner, authorities in Bengaluru are intensifying efforts to enforce the ban on firecrackers. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and police announced the formation of a task force and patrolling teams dedicated to monitoring the sales of banned firecrackers, with legal action promised against violators.

BBMP officials informed Salar News that a check post has been established in Attibele to inspect parcels arriving via buses and private vehicles from Tamil Nadu. This initiative aims to curb the illegal transportation of traditional firecrackers, which remain in high demand despite the regulations.

Superintendent of Police (SP) for Bengaluru Rural, CK Baba, told Salar News that only licensed vendors are authorised to sell green firecrackers. “If they violate the permit and are caught transporting banned crackers, their licenses will be suspended, and criminal cases will be filed against them,” he stated.

In 2023, firecracker sales across the state reached over Rs 400 crore, with only 10 per cent (approximately Rs 40 crore) attributable to non-green options. Following a tragic explosion at a firecracker factory in Attibele last year that resulted in 14 fatalities, the State implemented a ban on the sale of traditional crackers. However, sales this year are projected to exceed Rs 500 crore as demand remains robust.

Amid the festive preparations, local hospitals are also bracing for an influx of firecracker-related injuries. Minto Hospital has established a new 35-bed ward and set up 24/7 emergency helplines to respond to incidents. Meanwhile, Victoria Hospital has upgraded its burns care unit to ensure readiness for any related emergencies.

What are green crackers?

Green crackers, or eco-friendly firecrackers, are designed to minimize environmental impact. They contain reduced amounts of harmful chemicals and are marked with a unique QR code and logo from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). Introduced in 2018 by CSIR-NEERI, these alternatives utilize dust suppressants to lower emissions, particularly particulate matter. Notably, green crackers generate noise levels between 110 and 125 decibels, significantly quieter than traditional options, which can exceed 160 decibels, resulting in approximately 30% less noise.

As the festival approaches, the tension between traditional practices and environmental awareness continues to shape the celebrations in Bengaluru.