Banned firecrackers are available if you want them. Several shop owners selling ‘green fireworks’ across parts of Maheshtala and Nungi on the southern fringes of the city said “all items” were available. But one had to go there to get them.
The promised “doorstep delivery” has stopped, unlike other years. “Chocolate bombs that are available are of the ‘Hanuman’ brand. The original ‘Burima’ variety is no longer available. A pack of 100 will cost around Rs 150-200,” said Debasis Dutta of Dutta Traders.
Dutta’s shop is located in Maheshtala, about 17km south from the heart of Kolkata, where several thousand families have been engaged in manufacturing firecrackers for decades.
While Maheshtala or the adjoining areas like Nungi and Budge Budge is no match to Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu in scale, this is West Bengal’s biggest hub for firecrackers, where the number of unlicensed units is nearly double the licensed ones.
“The market is yet to look up. Hopefully, the sale will go up beginning Saturday,” Dutta said.
But what about raids by police?
Calcutta High Court has directed no firecrackers other than the green crackers bearing QR code would be sold in Bazi Bazars, the authorised retail markets of fireworks.
“Bhoy nei (Nothing to be afraid of). Choley ashun (Come over). Our products have green logos on the top. Nothing to worry,” Dutta said.
Most shops dotting Nungi, Budge Budge and Maheshtala selling firecrackers have been operating between 10am and 2am for the past week or so.
“We have all the varieties, including chocolate bombs, double-crackers (dodoma) and powerful shells. The price of shells vary between Rs 400 and 1,200,” said the owner of Ma Kali Traders on Daulatpur Road in Nungi.
“We won’t be able to deliver this time. You will have to come and pick your items. We suggest you come in the morning to avoid police checks. Chocolate bombs are banned and we won’t be of much help to you this time.” Some of the retailers were more cautious while replying to queries over the phone.
“It isn’t safe discussing rates over the phone. Come early in the day and we will tell you the safe way out,” said Saikat Naskar of Mridula Variety Stores in Maheshtala.
By police estimates, close to 2,500 families in Maheshtala and Nungi are involved in the trade of manufacturing firecrackers and despite continuous raids. All shops source their stuff from Chingripota in Budge Budge where the manufacturing hub is located.
“Until now, we have seized close to 250kg of banned firecrackers. But by and large, the purchasing of firecrackers has gone down this time. Post Covid, people are possibly not spending much,” a senior officer of Maheshtala police station.
“Raids are on at different points throughout the area. Barring a rare few, it is not possible to escape the police checks and carry banned stuff,” the officer added.
