Vijayawada: Relative spike in firecracker prices and subdued celebration of Deepawali festival have led to a dip in firecracker sales in Vijayawada city, compared to the previous festive season.
Anvesh, a firecracker stall owner in Gannavaram, said, “There has been a decline in firecracker sales this year due to dwindling enthusiasm among people to burst firecrackers. We generally sell 75–80 per cent of stock before the first crackers are lit on Deepawali day. But this time, only 60–65 per cent of the stocks had been sold when we shut our business on Thursday at 7 p.m., two hours beyond the permitted selling hours.”Another firecracker stall owner at Vajra grounds in the city Rama Rao (name changed) said, “Prices of all firecracker items have increased by 10 per cent compared to last year's prices. This increase may have acted as a deterrent, resulting in decreased business at firecracker shops.”At the same time, stall owners noted an increase in people opting for green crackers, which are priced higher than conventional crackers, which emit more smoke and also cause noise pollution.“Green crackers have been the preferred choice among some of the customers, because they are less likely to fail when ignited,” the stall owners underlined.Suresh, who came with his six-year-old son to Vajra grounds to purchase crackers, said, “We feel compelled to buy crackers, as it is customary for Deepawali, without which the festival feels incomplete.”He also expressed disappointment over the high prices: “I spent `1,500 and got only five varieties of crackers. Previously, the same amount bought us a variety of bag-full crackers.”
