Advisory for Aurangabad

Aurangabad: Ahead of Diwali, the Aurangabad district collector, citing the ongoing pandemic, has issued an

advisory

, asking people to take precautions and to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali by abstaining from bursting

firecrackers

.

Collector Sunil Chavan has requested people to not organise pre- and post-festival get-togethers to avoid the likelihood of catching the infection from an asymptomatic patient. Officials of the civic body and the city police have also expressed concerns given the social distancing norm violations in crowded market places.

“For now, precaution is the best remedy. We request people to ensure social distancing. They should wear masks and use sanitizers,” said Chavan.

In the advisory, the administration has asked citizens to ensure that children and the elderly avoid stepping out. People should also avoid get-togethers including Diwali pahat programmes and public camps. Citizens have been advised to light diyas (lamps) to mark Diwali, instead of bursting firecrackers.

The advisory has not gone down well with the firecracker traders, who have already purchased the items. Firecracker market association president Gopal Kulkarni said: “Due to the lockdowns and the pandemic, almost all businesses have taken a hit. People have set up firecracker shops with the hope to make up for some of the losses they had incurred in their primary businesses.”

At Ayodhyanagari ground, where 50 shops have come up, the traders are already worried. Bharat Mandore, a trader, said, “People buy firecrackers only after they are done with all other shopping. Given the slump in other sectors, we fear that it may affect our business too.”