Mumbai rocket ban, crores in smoke: Stuck with unsold Sivakasi stock, traders write to Fadnavis

Firecracker vendors in Mumbai and Thane have penned a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis, expressing their discontent over the ban on aerial firecrackers. The vendors claim they have suffered significant losses, estimated in 'crores'. The fire brigade reported 499 incidents of fire during the five-day Diwali period, with two-thirds attributed to firecrackers.

The Mumbai-Thane Fireworkers Welfare Association criticized the ban as premature, stating it has had a devastating effect on their business. The traders are concerned that the stock they procured from Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu will remain unsold. The ban imposed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been in place from November 9 to November 25, following fire personnel identifying aerial firecrackers as the primary cause of fires.

Thane district has also imposed a ban until January 8, 2027. The Mumbai Fire Brigade data shows that 499 fires occurred between November 6 and November 10, with 333 directly linked to firecrackers. The peak number of calls came on November 9 (166), and on Diwali day itself (8th November), 142 calls were made. Zone 4, encompassing Malad, Goregaon, Borivali, and Kandivali, recorded 175 fires.

The previous year saw 289 fires during the Diwali period, and 262 in 2024. Unfortunately, two individuals died and eight were injured this year, compared to zero deaths and three injuries in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Among those who lost their lives was Dhanpat Mahatu, a lift operator in Andheri, who succumbed to smoke inhalation after being trapped in a passenger lift.

Shanwaz Niyaz Khan, a 16-year-old, suffered 100% burns in a fire sparked by a shop full of firecrackers. Minesh Mehta, General Secretary of the Traders Association, argued that the government should have focused on educating people about the correct method of bursting crackers rather than imposing a complete ban. He noted that demand had already declined before Diwali, with customers ceasing their visits post the ban announcement.

Sales had dropped by up to 50% over the past three days in one prominent South Mumbai firecracker market. Traders there reported business had nearly halved compared to previous periods, with people opting not to purchase due to the lack of visibility of aerial firecrackers. Rajender Ghone, owner of Padmini Fireworks, revealed that the sudden restrictions have left traders with unsold rockets, likely to be wasted as purchasing will be futile post the ban.

The loss is deemed irrecoverable as New Year sales typically account for merely 10% of annual sales.