Cracker dealers elated, expect bumper sales this year in Ludhiana

Cracker dealers in the city are upbeat as they are expecting brisk business this Diwali.

They maintained that since Ludhiana is one of the largest districts of the state and an industrial hub, there is no dearth of money and residents spend lavishly on crackers during the festival of lights.

The dealers have already stocked crackers worth over Rs 25 crore, anticipating “bumper” sales.

Pradeep Kumar Gupta, president of the Ludhiana Cracker Dealers’ Association, told The Tribune that supplies had started arriving as early as March-April.

“The dealers have purchased crackers worth over Rs 25 crore this year. Even Delhi has permitted cracker sales, hence, we are hopeful of good sales in the market,” he said when asked about rising awareness of pollution and environmental concerns.

Around 40 cracker dealers are likely to set up stalls at the designated site in Dana Mandi, once permission and dates are finalised by the Commissioner of Police.

Pradeep Kumar Gupta said the cost of setting up stalls would be shared equally among dealers.

Another dealer, Sanjay Kumar, said setting up a stall costs between Rs 12-15 lakh, from where retailers across the region purchase crackers at wholesale rates.

However, the upbeat mood of the dealers raises questions over claims of a ‘green Diwali’.

If their projections of record sales materialise, pollution levels are bound to rise manifold.

Crackers are brought in the city from Sivakasi, a town in Tamil Nadu. It is a major industrial centre, which is known for its fireworks industry.