New Delhi: After five years of prohibition, Delhi is preparing for a Diwali that’s not only brighter but also unexpectedly chaotic. The Supreme Court’s decision to lift restrictions on the sale of firecrackers between October 18 and 20 has triggered a buying frenzy across markets — with demand surging and supplies running dangerously low.
Despite the 2018 ban, many Delhi residents continued to celebrate with fireworks sourced illegally or from outside the city. Over the years, traders had adapted, turning to diyas, lanterns, and decorative lights instead. Assuming the ban would continue, most were caught off guard by the sudden policy reversal. With barely days to go before Diwali, they now find themselves scrambling to restock.
“In our market, only 15 traders managed to get licences, and just three have enough stock to sell. The rest have nothing due to shortages,” said Rakesh Yadav, president of the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association. At Sadar Bazar — one of Delhi’s busiest festive hubs — customers are flooding shops in search of flowerpots and rockets, while traders race between godowns to secure limited supplies.
The last-minute licensing process added to the confusion. “I got my application approved in the middle of the night,” said Kunal Kukku of Veer Savarkar Block, who runs a small fireworks shop. “By the time I reached the Jama Masjid area to buy stock, everything was sold out.” Some licences, traders said, were issued as late as 1–2 am on Friday, leaving barely two days to source goods.
With Delhi lacking major green-cracker production, traders have turned to hubs like Ghaziabad, Hapur, and Palwal. One Seelampur trader described the situation as “chaotic”: “On Saturday, dozens of sellers crowded a warehouse in Palwal hoping for supplies. Even if we get some, we’ll only sell for two days.”
Conditions in Chandni Chowk are similar. “The timing was terrible. Hardly any shopkeepers were ready to sell a variety of fireworks,” said Sanjay Bhargava, president of Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal. Many, he added, didn’t apply for licences either out of ignorance or because they felt it wasn’t worth it for such a short window. Some sellers near Diwan Hall and Main Chandni Chowk had already begun selling crackers before the official relaxation.
“The ban was lifted so abruptly that there was no time to procure a proper range of green crackers,” said a Rajouri Garden shopkeeper. “Only those who stocked up in advance are able to sell — the rest of us are chasing whatever little is left.”
According to Delhi Police, which managed the temporary licensing process, participation remained limited. As of October 19, only 187 applications were received citywide, with 169 approved. Shahdara district led with 30 approvals, followed by East Delhi (25), and North and North East Delhi (22 each).
This year’s last-minute reversal, while delighting firecracker enthusiasts, has left traders struggling to balance soaring demand with a market still reeling from years of restrictions.
