This year, the market is flooded with eco-friendly versions of popular firecrackers.

Published: 27th October 2021 06:57 AM   |   Last Updated: 27th October 2021 06:57 AM   |   A+ A  A-

A firecracker shop in Thiruvananthapuram. Traders hope sale of crackers will pick up during Deepawali | B P Deepu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After nearly two years of the Covid outbreak and subsequent lockdowns, the firecracker market is once again buzzing with activity and the traders are hoping to do good business this year. With Deepavali just days away, many small and medium firecracker shops have started sprouting in the nook and corner of the city. However, traders are concerned about rain as it may dampen the business.

This year, the market is flooded with eco-friendly versions of popular firecrackers. Many varieties of firecrackers like colourful flower pots, butterfly crackers, spinners, whistle sparklers that sounds like a train’s whistle, and drone fireworks have arrived in the market. Santhosh Kumar, who has been in the firecracker business for the past 25 years, said there is a steady hike in the price of firecrackers.

“Compared to previous years, wholesale prices of firecrackers have gone up by 25%. We source the products from Sivakasi and the transportation cost has also gone up. Last year, we didn’t buy new stocks because of the pandemic,” said Santhosh. The price of crackers ranges from Rs 40 to Rs 400, depending on the brand and quality. “The eco-friendly crackers cost more. Normally, we used to do business for Rs 6 to Rs 7 lakh during Deepavali. However, the pandemic adversely impacted our business. It was a struggle as the revenue was nil. I had to maintain the staff and pay the rentals despite the financial challenges,” Santhosh added. 

According to traders, firecrackers with reduced emissions and low decibel sound are the new trend. “Firepots are one of the popular firecrackers and there is huge demand. Now it comes in different colours,” Santhosh said. Rajesh R, who runs a firecracker shop in Power House Road, said normal crackers cost around Rs 40 and eco-friendly ones cost around Rs 200. 

“The new variety is drone fireworks. It’s a visual treat and also eco-friendly. Last year, we did good business despite the pandemic. We hope the rain will not spoil the business this time,” said Rajesh, who has been running the shop for the past 13 years. 

According to him, the business is yet to pick up this year. “There is a 10% to 15% hike in prices. Normally we do Rs 10 to Rs 12 lakh business during Deepavali,” Rajesh added. 

Disclaimer : We respect your thoughts and views! But we need to be judicious while moderating your comments. All the comments will be moderated by the newindianexpress.com editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines.

The views expressed in comments published on newindianexpress.com are those of the comment writers alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of newindianexpress.com or its staff, nor do they represent the views or opinions of The New Indian Express Group, or any entity of, or affiliated with, The New Indian Express Group. newindianexpress.com reserves the right to take any or all comments down at any time.

SC grants relief to Ex-Amrapali CMD Anil Kumar Sharma; asks him to not surrender

BJP announces state in charges, Tawde in Bihar and Mangal Pandey in Bengal

Queen Elizabeth's death: Charles to be formally proclaimed king on Saturday morning

India bans export of broken rice amid likely kharif output fall of 10-12 million tonne

No criminal connect with Delhi riots, argues Umar Khalid; HC reserves order on bail plea

'Made my decision, will answer if I don't stand for polls': Rahul on being Congress chief again

The Morning Standard | Dinamani | Kannada Prabha | Samakalika Malayalam | Indulgexpress | Edex Live | Cinema Express | Event Xpress

Contact Us | About Us | Careers | Privacy Policy | Search | Terms of Use | Advertise With Us

Home | Nation | World | Cities | Business | Columns | Entertainment | Sport | Magazine | The Sunday Standard