With the formal window for green cracker sales set to open tomorrow, the Haryana administration has sent a clear message: safety takes precedence over profit. Today’s “zero-tolerance” inspections left several traders facing immediate closure.
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The Violations: Inspectors visited major designated sites, including the Gadoli market in Gurugram and the Dusherra Ground in Faridabad. The five shops whose licenses were revoked were found guilty of:
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Illegal Stocking: Storing traditional “sutli bombs” and “laris” (series crackers) that were not NEERI-certified.
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Fire Hazards: Stalls were constructed with highly flammable materials, and multiple shops were found to be lacking the mandatory two-meter distance between stalls.
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Missing QR Codes: Several boxes of crackers featured fake QR codes or lacked manufacture dates, a direct violation of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) norms.
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The Enforcement Teams: The teams included officers from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), the Fire Department, and local police. “We cannot risk a major fire in these crowded ‘melas’. These five vendors had been warned twice before; their failure to install even basic fire extinguishers led to the immediate cancellation of their permits,” said a senior fire official in Gurugram.
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Seizure Report: Apart from the license cancellations, police seized over 150 kg of illegal fireworks from these five shops. The stock was moved to a secure warehouse for immediate destruction.
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The SC Window: Officials reminded traders that per the latest Supreme Court order (dated Oct 15, 2025), the legal sale of green crackers is only permitted from October 18 to October 20. Anyone found selling before or after this window will face permanent blacklisting.
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Market Atmosphere: The mood in the markets was tense as many traders scrambled to hide non-compliant stock. However, shoppers were seen enquiring about the “green labels” to avoid purchasing seized or illegal goods.
Safety Advisory: The Fire Department has mandated that all licensed stalls must maintain a water tank (200L) and four sand buckets at all times. Smoking or the use of open incense sticks (agarbatti) within 50 meters of the cracker market is strictly prohibited and will attract a fine of ₹5,000.
