Vijayawada: With Diwali around the corner, the sale of firecrackers in the NTR district has surged, but so have their prices. This has left many consumers opting for cheaper and unbranded alternatives.
Owing to rise in prices of commodities, prices of firecrackers have increased by up to 25%, compared to last year. While some sellers are offering discounts of up to 85%, buyers claim the actual prices are still significantly higher than last year.
“We came to buy branded crackers as we do every year, but the high prices shocked us.We had to settle for cheaper alternatives,” said K. Rambabu, a private employee.
The increased cost of branded crackers has given room to traders for selling unbranded and low-quality firecrackers in the market this year. Sellers often sell low-quality crackers claiming they would produce louder noise and this appeals buyers who look for budget-friendly options. The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has mandated the use of green crackers to minimise environmental damage. However, the rise in unbranded firecrackers raises serious concerns about pollution. Environmentalists warn that these unregulated products may contain banned chemicals, exacerbating air and noise pollution during the festival.
“APPCB is spreading awareness about the dangers of crackers, but they are not conducting sufficient inspections of locally made crackers that don’t meet green cracker standards,” said K. Prem Kumar, a member of the Amaravati environment lovers association.
In addition to permanent shops, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has issued temporary licences for firecracker stalls at Makineni Basava Punnaiah Stadium, Singhnagar, and Bhavanipuram Mini Stadium, as well as suburban areas like Kanur, Gollapudi, and Enikepadu.
