Why Diwali may look less celebrative this year in Chennai
Posted on: 30/Oct/2018 10:21:44 AM
Usually the sales of fire crackers starts one month before the day of Diwali in Chennai and other parts of the state. Sellers have stocked up fire crackers to open for public in many important shopping junctions such as T.Nagar, Island grounds of the city and YMCA ground. But this year the sale rights have tough phase for the clearance from five departments.
Though 3 lakh square feet Island grounds has been leased out for the fireworks sale this year the sellers are trying hard to get clearance from Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. Greater Chennai Corporation, Explosives department, Fire and rescue department and Police Departments are other governmental bodies where the sellers have to receive legal clearance for the fireworks sale in the city.
Supreme Court has strict orders this years in terms of controlling pollution caused by fireworks. Time slotted fireworks celebration and other sales control has been issued by the government with the orders of strict norms from pollution control bodies of India. With the total production of Rs2000 crore worth fireworks the sellers expect Rs80 crore sales in Chennai city alone.
Tourism department has leased out the Island grounds to George Town All Merchants Association for setting up stalls. Once the clearance and license are issued the sellers will start the sales immediately as they already stocked up loads of firecrackers in the respective godowns. With respect to the interim order from Madras High Court banning the online sale of fireworks the traders can start their sales after obtaining the clearance from Fire and rescue department and police department for sales within 1000 Kg.
The mentioned two departments authorizing the sales of fireworks received more than 800 petitions seeking licenses for stalls. Many buyers informed the last year approval before ten days of Diwali. Owing to the announcement of rains on November 6 the sales may have a further decrease said many dealers.
