Licence delays reduce firecracker sales window in Chennai
Traders at Island Grounds have only three days to sell stock after administrative delays pushed back the opening of temporary stalls.
Licensing delays have compressed the firecracker sales season in Chennai, according to a report by Urban Acres. Temporary stalls at Island Grounds, which were expected to open on November 3, only began sales on Wednesday.
Traders said the delay caused them to miss the weekend before Diwali, a period traditionally busy for family shopping. Instead of the usual 10-day selling window, vendors now have approximately three days to sell their stock.
The delay comes as vendors face higher costs. One trader reported that cracker prices rose by at least 20 per cent, exceeding the typical annual increase of 10 per cent to 15 per cent. This increase is attributed to rising costs in transport and manufacturing chemicals.
While the physical market at Island Grounds was ready with cutouts and green crackers, customer traffic remained slow. Some weather bloggers predicted that an easterly wave might bring rain to coastal areas during the Diwali weekend, though the India Meteorological Department had issued no official forecast.
To attract customers, traders are offering products shaped like drones, guitars and toy cars. Traditional flowerpots also feature characters such as Hulk, Dora, Shin Chan and the Avengers.
Murali N, a resident from Koyambedu, said his family planned a thala Diwali and intended to buy sparklers, 100-walas and louder crackers.