Hyderabad Diwali Dilemma: Green Crackers Struggle to Ignite Festive Fervor

In the lead-up to Diwali 2025, Hyderabad's festive markets are a mix of old and new. Despite the government's efforts to promote eco-friendly celebrations, traditional fireworks continue to reign supreme, as customers cling to the nostalgia and excitement of the familiar sights and sounds.

Fireworks dealers report that at least 60-70% of their customers are asking for the old favorites – rockets, atom bombs, and chakris. While green crackers, marketed as cleaner and safer alternatives, are seeing an uptick in sales, many customers are reluctant to make the switch. "People ask about green crackers, but buy the regular ones once they see the difference in sound and sparkle. They say it doesn't feel festive without the noise," says Ramesh Gupta, a fireworks dealer at Begum Bazar.

The higher cost of green crackers, which are 30-40% more expensive than traditional ones, is also a deterrent for many buyers. Mohan Rao, who has been selling only green crackers for the last five years, notes a changing trend, with customers now buying fewer crackers and preferring the traditional options. "Earlier, customers used to buy crackers for a month, but now they only want a few for the Diwali weekend. Maybe, that's why they prefer traditional crackers over green crackers," he explains.

While some retailers are trying to stock up on both types of firecrackers, the challenge lies in promoting the green options. "A lot of our customers aren't aware of these, so we have to promote the products, which is hard as they are more expensive and their shelf life is lower," says Pradeep Kumar, a retailer from Secunderabad.

The shift in customer sentiment is also evident, with many buyers now purchasing crackers more to uphold tradition than for the joy of bursting them. "People now buy crackers more to uphold tradition than for the joy of bursting them. This affects how much they're willing to spend," says Vasanth Kumar, a retailer from Begum Bazar.

As Hyderabad's Diwali celebrations approach, the battle between tradition and eco-consciousness continues, with green crackers struggling to ignite the same festive fervor as their more familiar counterparts.