A year after a tragic firecracker explosion claimed the lives of 14 people in Attibele, this once-quiet neighborhood near Bengaluru is again alive with activity as the festive season approaches. Last year, the State government imposed a ban on firecracker sales in response to the accident, channeling business to nearby Hosur in Tamil Nadu. However, following petitions from vendors and a subsequent court ruling, authorities have lifted the ban this year, allowing the resurgence of over 100 cracker stalls in Attibele.
Despite restrictions on non-green crackers, enforcement appears relaxed, as many shops continue to offer them alongside eco-friendly options. Vendors argue that the market demand makes it challenging to exclusively stock green crackers. This year’s vendors, cognizant of last year’s disaster, have reportedly taken extra precautions in the storage and transport of their products to prevent similar incidents.
The renewed permission to sell crackers has injected fresh hope into the local economy, with vendors reporting brisk sales and heightened demand, particularly for assorted cracker boxes comprising over 50 varieties. Gopal H., a local vendor, expressed relief over the lifted ban, emphasizing the significant financial impact they had endured previously. The return of cracker sales is set to revitalize Attibele, drawing crowds eager to partake in the festivities.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/attibele-where-14-people-were-killed-in-fire-cracker-accident-last-year-bustling-with-cracker-sales-this-season/article68803189.ece
Category : Bengaluru
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