To ban or not to ban: Metros react to prohibition on fire crackers

The Supreme Court's order stopping the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR has set off a clamor by activists and residents alike in other metros for a similar ban, or at least greater restrictions.

Even in Sivakasi, the centre of the Rs 5,000 crore fireworks industry that will be hit the hardest by the order, traders have grudgingly accepted the reality and are now deliberating on the way forward -- perhaps by manufacturing "green crackers," or environmentally less harmful fireworks.

"As far as the fireworks industry is concerned, this verdict (of Supreme Court) could lead to a positive thinking, on why we do not manufacture green crackers. The pressure will be there to explore such avenues," A P Selvaraj, managing partner of Kaliswari Fireworks told PTI.

Selvaraj admitted that production of green crackers emitting less or no smoke would be a challenging task, but said the industry was willing to explore alternatives.

"Chemicals are available to make smoke-free crackers," he said, seeking help from the Centre.
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