Bhubaneswar: Due to growing awareness about the ill-effects of bursting crackers and restrictions of the Supreme Court, the enthusiasm among citizens has come down leading to a decline in the sale of firecrackers this season. The cops have restricted opening of firecrackers shops within 50-metre radius of any residential area. In the Odisha capital, firecrackers shops have been opened in Nayapalli, Damana, Sailashree Vihar, near VSS Nagar and Baramunda. For fire safety, water drums, sand buckets and fire gas have been arranged in the field.
“Though we have got a license to sell crackers for all four days, customers usually come in the last two days only. The sale of firecrackers was less last year due to bad weather. We hope that with the weather better this year, our sale will be better,” said Rajesh Kumar Sahu, a seller of firecrackers.
“As there is a restriction on the noise level of the crackers, we have noise free crackers and low sound crackers in our shop. People are giving emphasis on lighting this year. That is why sky lights are more in demand this year. They cost Rs 50 to Rs 60 per string. We have a variety of firecrackers in our shop, as per the guidelines,” he added. Last year, the number of firecrackers shops was 48. This year, the number is 42,” he added.
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“To reduce sound pollution, low sound or noise free crackers should be used. There should be no risk to human life during Diwali. People should celebrate the festival of lights peacefully,” said Arun Mohapatra, a customer.
Pushing for a ‘green’ Diwali across the country, the Supreme Court has imposed major controls on the sale of firecrackers. People can burst crackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm. There is also limitation on the manufacture and sale of fireworks to only those who conform to permissible smoke and noise levels.
