Delhi Records ₹500 Crore Firecracker Sales Amid Soaring Festive Demand
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New Delhi, October 21 (TheTrendingPeople.com): The national capital witnessed a massive surge in firecracker sales this Diwali, with shopkeepers across markets reporting that stocks ran out well before the festival. The demand was so high that many Delhi residents had to travel to neighbouring cities such as Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Sonipat to purchase firecrackers.
According to Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), the city recorded total sales worth nearly ₹500 crore, reflecting an exceptional increase compared to the previous year. “Even a day before Diwali, most traders ran out of stock. To find crackers, people had to travel outside Delhi,” Goyal said, attributing the rise in demand to the festive spirit and the Supreme Court’s partial relaxation on green crackers.
Stock Shortages Despite Massive Supply
Market associations reported that the demand for green crackers — the only type legally permitted for sale in Delhi-NCR — far exceeded supply. Traders in Sadar Bazaar, Lajpat Nagar, and Karol Bagh said they had sold out of stock days before Diwali.
Paramjit Singh Pamma, President of the Sadar Bazaar Association, said sales were up nearly 40 per cent compared to last year. “The demand for firecrackers, decorative items, and lighting products has gone up significantly this festive season,” he noted.
Despite restrictions on traditional fireworks, customers were eager to buy environment-friendly options such as sparklers, flower pots, and soundless fountains. Vendors said that many customers also preferred combo packs of green crackers, leading to a quick sell-out.
Supreme Court’s Ruling Boosted Sales
The sharp rise in sales followed the Supreme Court’s October 15 ruling, which allowed the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR during specific hours — from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Diwali day and the day before.
Authorities in Delhi subsequently permitted the sale of these crackers between October 18 and 21, resulting in a spike in demand across licensed outlets.
Retailers said that customers were eager to celebrate after two years of subdued Diwali seasons due to pollution concerns and regulatory uncertainty. “The court’s order came as a relief for traders who were sitting on limited stock,” said a CTI member, adding that several vendors saw record sales within just three days.
National Festive Sales Hit Record ₹5.40 Lakh Crore
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) reported record-breaking festive business across the country. Between Navratri and Diwali, traders recorded transactions worth ₹5.40 lakh crore, while consumers spent an additional ₹65,000 crore on services such as hospitality, travel, and entertainment.
Compared to last year’s festive season sales of ₹4.25 lakh crore, this marks a 25 per cent increase — a sign of robust consumer sentiment and reviving economic confidence.
Retail experts attributed this growth to higher disposable incomes, a stronger job market, and optimism about the economy’s post-pandemic recovery. Markets across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Jaipur reported record footfalls throughout the festive week.
Environmental Concerns Remain
While traders celebrated the surge, environmental groups expressed concern about the impact of increased cracker use on Delhi’s air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas remained in the “poor” category despite the green cracker rule. Authorities have said that enforcement and awareness campaigns will be intensified ahead of next year’s festival.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Delhi’s firecracker sales boom reflects the renewed enthusiasm of a recovering economy and the return of festive cheer. However, it also underlines the city’s ongoing struggle to balance cultural celebrations with environmental responsibility. The challenge for policymakers now lies in ensuring that prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand in future festivities.