Sacks stuffed with firecrackers are being carried through the narrow lanes of Sadar Bazar, while customers stop at shop fronts to examine packets of sparklers, rockets, spinning wheels and fountains. Shopkeepers call out to prospective buyers, some shoppers hurry away with bags of purchases, and two-wheelers attempt to squeeze through the gaps left between pedestrians and roadside stalls.
Towards Qutub Road Chowk, vehicles are lined up along the road, with illegally parked two-wheelers leaving little space for people to walk. Two days before Diwali, Sadar Bazar is struggling to accommodate the rush of shoppers, traders and vehicles.
Inside the market, the firecracker trade is among the biggest attractions. Young sellers carrying large sacks move between shops and customers, displaying different varieties of fireworks. The assortment ranges from children’s matchstick crackers and sparklers to anaar, rockets, chakris and high-decibel crackers.
In one of the narrow lanes, a young seller was seen approaching customers with packets of fireworks, urging them to buy quickly because police personnel were patrolling the area. The sellers appeared particularly watchful of police movements, with some keeping their merchandise ready to move.
The urgency is also reflected in the way customers are making purchases. Some are buying smaller packets for children, while others are looking for a wider assortment to take home for Diwali celebrations. Himanshi Anand Jain, who visited the market to purchase crackers for children, bought firecrackers worth `2,500. Her shopping included sparklers and small poppers, and she also waited for the shopkeeper to arrange spinning fireworks and fountain bombs from the warehouse.
For families, the attraction is having different varieties available in one place. Children are among the customers accompanying adults, with parents examining the packets before deciding what to buy. Aishwarya Singh, a student shopping in the market, was carrying her purchases in a black backpack. She had opted for a limited assortment, mainly for her younger brother, rather than buying larger fireworks.
The sellers, meanwhile, are trying to make the most of the short window available for business.
A middle-aged shopkeeper dealing in firecrackers said the limited period for permitted sales had left traders with little time to recover losses suffered during previous years. He expected business to improve as the permitted selling period progressed but remained concerned about how much traders could earn within just three days. The anxiety is particularly visible among sellers operating from smaller spaces and carrying their merchandise through the market. Some are selling products openly, while others remain cautious about displaying their entire stock.
The distinction between certified green crackers and conventional fireworks has become another feature of the trade. Several packets carry green-coloured markings claiming environmental certification, along with manufacturers’ details and QR codes. Shopkeepers selling children’s novelty products maintain that their merchandise is permitted.
One such seller dealing primarily in small fireworks said his products were intended for children and produced sparks without the noise associated with larger crackers. He also indicated that much of the stock arriving in the market was sourced from neighbouring Haryana. The temporary relaxation allowing certified green crackers has brought some relief to traders. However, the short selling window has also created uncertainty among sellers who have repeatedly faced restrictions in previous years.
For established traders, the problem extends beyond the immediate festive season. Rajiv, a wholesale businessman, has previously pointed to the impact of recurring restrictions on permanent firecracker sellers. With only a few days to sell their products, traders have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a viable business throughout the year.
Away from the firecracker shops, the festive shopping continues across the market’s other commercial lanes. Shops display colourful decorative items, artificial flowers and ornaments, while customers stop to examine products before making purchases. Vendors attend to several buyers at a time, and merchandise is displayed close to the entrances to attract people passing through. However, the crowds on the main roads do not necessarily translate into business for every trader.
Aleem, owner of Sharda Traders, which deals in festive decorations, had earlier expressed concern that much of the visible footfall consisted of residents purchasing vegetables and fruits rather than customers arriving from other parts of Delhi specifically for Diwali shopping. He said sales at his establishment had remained considerably below expectations. Hamza, who works at a wholesale artificial flowers shop, also described business as weaker than the usual pre-Diwali period. The expected increase in customers had not translated into the kind of sales traders normally anticipate during the final days before the festival.
The congestion outside the shops is another source of frustration. The stretch towards Qutub Road Chowk is particularly difficult to negotiate, with two-wheelers and other vehicles parked along the footpaths.
Pedestrians are left with little room, forcing them to walk close to moving traffic or navigate through narrow gaps between parked vehicles. Vehicle queues stretch along the approach roads, with motorists moving slowly through bottlenecks. Commuters have complained about the absence of adequate traffic personnel at some congestion points and the lack of cranes to remove unauthorisedly parked vehicles. For shoppers carrying bags of merchandise, even covering a short distance through the market can become difficult. The movement of goods, pedestrians and vehicles frequently converges around the same narrow stretches.
Security arrangements have also been stepped up as the festival approaches. Police personnel in uniform and plain clothes are patrolling the market, while additional teams have been deployed at access points. The security arrangements come at a time when the firecracker trade is attracting particular scrutiny. The Supreme Court has permitted the sale of certified green crackers at designated locations between November 4 and 6, with their use restricted to specified morning and evening hours on November 7 and 8. The complete ban is scheduled to return on November 9.