Mumbaiites say no to bombs; turn to noise-free crackers

Vendors attribute dip in sales to growing awareness about noise pollution

Diwali is a few days away and people are flocking to stalls and shops at Mohammed Ali Road to buy fire crackers, mostly noise-free ones that are in great demand this year.

With Diwali around the corner, Mumbaiites stepped out on Saturday for a final round of shopping for the festival of lights. (Praful Gangurde)

While some cracker vendors said the rising trend could be attributed to growing awareness of environment and noise pollution among people, others said it could be because loud crackers are more expensive.

Lokhandwala market in Andheri is lit up ahead of Diwali.

“This year the noise-free crackers are the most popular items at our shop. We have witnessed around 25% dip in the sales of loud crackers compared to last year,” said Abdulla Ghia, director, Essabhai Fireworks, one of the oldest firework shops in the city. “With schools promoting noise-free Diwali celebrations, many children ask for colourful and noise-free crackers.”

A girl looks at a cartoon-shaped lantern at the Borivli market.

“Noisy crackers cost anywhere between Rs250 and Rs1,500 for a standard box whereas noise-free crackers are in the price range of Rs50 to Rs500,” said Gaffar.

Jayant Kale, a Lower Parel resident, said, “I enjoy the sight of the colourful lights more than the noise. So, we buy ground-based crackers and aerial rockets.”

“My son enjoys bursting crackers but we allow him to burst noise-free ones,” said Rakshita Joshi, a resident of Grant Road.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and non-governmental organisation Awaaz Foundation, during a testing of noise levels last week, found that only two of the 25 brands crossed permissible noise limits (single crackers - 125 decibels (dB) and serial crackers - 90dB and 110dB).

Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz, had told HT: “We have seen a drop in decibel levels over the years. However, the decline has not been enough to safeguard anybody’s health.”