Traders welcome SC clarification on verdict

Mumbai: The firecracker market in Mumbai has welcomed the Supreme Court’s clarification that its earlier direction that only green firecrackers should be used for Diwali this year would be applicable only for Delhi and the National Capital Region and not the rest of the country.

While some sellers stated that they already had the stock of green firecrackers, which are now in demand in Mumbai during big festivals, but traders said that it was not possible for them to replace all firecrackers with green crackers on such a short notice this year.

However, activists feel that now the responsibility is on the police and the government. If they do not strictly implement the directives regarding the two-hour window for firecrackers, the SC order will be defeated.

“We are happy that now the green firecrackers are not mandatory, as it was difficult for us to arrange the adequate stock of green crackers in such a short notice. We will also try to encourage the customers to use green crackers,” said Mahesh Parmar, a firecracker seller at Mohammed Ali road.

Meanwhile, environmentalists hailed the order by the SC stating that it will help in celebrating the Diwali festival in an eco-friendly manner. The crackers that produces minimum amount of toxicity and fumes are green firecrackers, which the experts highlighted, will help in reducing health problems like coughing and lung problems experienced by people during festivals and also help in curbing the crisis of poor air quality post the festival day.

“SC’s efforts to regulate the sale and bursting of firecrackers are a welcome move towards addressing the pollution peak episode post-Diwali,” said Sunil Dahiya, senior campaigner, Greenpeace India.