Delhi set to choke on toxic crackers
Traders said the police began licence distribution for green crackers from October 7, with just 20 days to go for Diwali.
On the eve of last year’s Diwali, the Supreme Court banned conventional firecrackers and ruled that only green ones with reduced emissions will be allowed. On the festival day, Delhi was clocking dangerous pollution levels. This was because green crackers couldn’t be developed, and old polluting stocks were used with impunity.
On Saturday, Harsh Vardhan, Union Health and Science & Technology Minister, promised that green crackers with 30 per cent less emissions will be available to help control pollution as well as take care of people’s sentiments. But a Mail Today reality check has revealed that green crackers developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), are still not available in most markets and the situation may not change on Diwali (November 27). Tuesday’s Dussehra may witness polluting fireworks, stockpiling of old firecrackers for Diwali has peaked and obnoxious Chinese products have already flooded shops, the reality check also showed.
NO GREEN CRACKERS
Very few traders have applied for licences to sell green varieties. Traders said the police began licence distribution for green crackers from October 7, with just 20 days to go for Diwali. They said since the effigies for Dussehra are prepared at least a few days ahead of the festival, there was a great chance that crackers used are of traditional varieties. Sadar Bazar, one of the biggest wholesale markets for firecrackers, has not been able to procure anything because traders say licences haven't been issued yet." "Our licences will be issued after Dussehra. We cannot sell green crackers for Dussehra, said prominent trader Harjit Singh Chhabra. Some traders, however, claimed that they are following norms. "I do not want to go to jail. And for us, nothing is beyond Supreme Court guidelines, said a shopkeeper at Star Fireworks.
THE SMUGGLING
Hazardous, ear-splitting fireworks, including Chinese ones, are being brought to Delhi from warehouses in neighbouring towns such as Ghaziabad and Meerut, Mail Today found. With no law enforcement around to curb the illegal business, shops are selling large quantities of fountains, sparkles, ground spinners, Roman candles, rockets, and Ravan bombs. MS Randhawa, DCP (Central), said: "We are keeping a close watch on vehicles coming from NCR towns to check transportation of firecrackers. We are raiding shops on tip-offs and taking appropriate action. The Delhi Police on Wednesday seized 146 kg of firecrackers from a warehouse in Dwarka. Last week, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) warned all investigating and intelligence agencies that a huge quantity of hazardous Chinese firecrackers has started reaching India illegally ahead of Diwali. Chinese crackers are not only dangerous for the environment but are also against Explosive Rules, 2008, as they contain banned chemicals like red lead, copper oxide, and lithium among others.
DUSSEHRA DHAMAKA
Most Ramlila committees are likely to use conventional crackers saved last year. This is because only ground spinners and sparkles are available as eco-friendly options, like at a wholesale shop in the Jama Masjid area of Old Delhi. Wholesaler Amit Jain from Ajit Fireworks said, Demand for green crackers is very high but there aren’t enough supplies. Prices for green crackers are also high despite government assurances.
A petition filed in the Delhi High Court in October last year claimed that around 10,000 effigies are burnt in the city on Dussehra. We wish to follow instructions and celebrate all festivals in an eco-friendly way, but we are not able to find these green crackers anywhere, said a member of Shri Ram Bhakt Ramlila Committee, Hari Nagar. We'll have to use old crackers in case we don’t find green ones, said a member of Janakpuri’s Shri Ramlila Committee. A Ramlila committee member in Patparganj said the use of old crackers would continue because green ones cannot match the grandeur surrounding Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. However, there are some committees that claim to be sticking to green norms. Firecrackers will not be used in the oldest Ramlila near Delhi Fort. Three Ramlilas take place near the monument. Luv Kush Ramlila says it will use sound effects for firecrackers. Arjun Kumar, Secretary, Luv Kush Ramlila Committee, said, "We have some companies in South India that are selling green crackers and this time we have also arranged sound effects.
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