Chennai: More takers for green crackers

CHENNAI: There is more demand for soft fireworks like flower pots and sparklers and not crackers this year following a ban on manufacturing, storing, transporting and selling series crackers and firework containing barium salts.
Most visitors to the annual cracker fair at the Island Grounds were seen opting for soft fireworks such as flower pots and sparklers.While the price of crackers has spiked by 15%, traders are keeping their fingers crossed over the ban on series crackers and fireworks containing barium salts. Sale of fireworks was average, and is expected to pick up as Diwali gets closer.
R. Srinivasan of Puzhal, who visited Island Grounds on Sunday, preferred fireworks over crackers that can be lighted after dusk. "We have restrained from purchasing crackers in the wake of the ban on series crackers," he added. Another consumer. Mukesh. said soft firecrackers that don't lead to noise pollution was the natural choice. "We have kids and we are buying soft crackers only for them," he said.
M Mangai, a trader with a cracker shop at the Island Grounds, said people are still asking for series crackers. "We cannot sell those crackers anymore and have to inform customers that series crackers are not for sale," she added.
Tourism minister Dr M Mathiventhan on Sunday inspected the Island Grounds. Briefing newspersons, he said only green crackers were being sold at the fair comprising about 50 stalls. "Only green crackers as per standards are being sold at the fair," he said, while responding to a query.