Demand grows despite high price of Rs2k as they don't add to air pollution said: “We have sold more than 30 pieces of these electronic firecrackers in the last five days. Children are liking it as it gives the same sound effects minus the pollution.”
Patel said each electronic firecracker cost around Rs2,000. “It runs on battery which is rechargeable. Initially, we were unsure whether it would sell but seeing the rising demand, we have placed more orders.”
Nitesh Mane, 38, a resident of Sion, was at the shop with his 8-year-old son to buy crackers. He immediately bought the e-cracker after learning that it is absolutely safe for his son. “There is always a fear of the child getting hurt while bursting firecrackers. My son burnt his fingers last year.
These electronic ones are safer except for the noise pollution.”
The electronic firecrackers are available in stores selling electronic products related to Diwali.
Apart from electronic firecrackers, the other Diwali items on demand are coloured lights, plastic multi-tiered ‘diyas’ with electric lights, cracker lights that pop like crackers at the pull of a string with smoke.
“The diyas cost anywhere around Rs400 to Rs600. It is popular among the working class people as it is less messy,” said Ghanshyam Vaishnav, a shopkeeper.
The firecracker market has seen a dip in sale. Though shopkeepers are not ready to give the reason behind the drop in fire crackers sale, many say inflation is definitely one of the reasons.
Abdullah Ghia, director of Essabhai Fireworks Pvt Ltd, who has a chain of shops selling firecrackers, said: “As compared to last year, the prices of firecrackers have gone by10%.”
