Chandigarh, Oct 19: With Diwali just two days away, firecracker markets across Chandigarh sprang to life on Saturday as licensed vendors began sales amid bustling crowds. The administration has once again permitted the sale and use of only green firecrackers, with bursting allowed between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali night.
According to officials, the UT Administration issued 96 temporary licences for the sale of eco-friendly crackers at 12 designated sites through a draw of lots held on September 10. Of the 4,539 applications received, only 96 applicants were allotted stalls across the city, including 20 at the Dussehra ground in Sector 43 and 11 at the Sector 46 ground adjoining the old rehri market.
The Sector 46 ground saw the highest demand, drawing 858 applications, followed by 850 for Sector 43. Sector 30 saw the lowest number of applications. Each vendor has been charged ₹15,000 as GST and has submitted an undertaking to sell only NEERI-certified green firecrackers, in line with Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal guidelines.
Fire brigade teams have been stationed at all sites to ensure safety, while special monitoring teams have been formed to crack down on illegal or unauthorised sales in residential colonies and villages. Officials said any online sale of crackers remains strictly banned.
“The recent rains and decline in stubble burning cases across Punjab are expected to keep air quality under check this year,” an official said.
The sale of crackers will continue till Monday, after which all stalls will be dismantled.
