New Delhi: The national capital witnessed a surge in firecracker sales this Diwali season, with most shopkeepers running out of stock well before the festival. In order to find crackers, many Delhi residents were even compelled to travel to neighbouring cities like Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Sonipat.

The demand for firecrackers increased significantly this year, according to Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI). Even one day before Diwali, the majority of traders experienced stock shortages. In order to purchase firecrackers, many people had to travel outside of Delhi, he said, adding that the city’s total sales were estimated to be close to Rs 500 crore.

Paramjit Singh Pamma, President of the Sadar Bazaar Association, said that traders reco

See Full Page