In Photos: Fireworks markets lay barren in Guwahati this Diwali

Guwahati: As regular firecrackers remain banned in Guwahati, retail markets in and around the city remain empty, so unlike the Diwali of previous years.

Places where firecracker stalls were earlier positioned, lacked all colours and excitement this year following the Pollution Control Board (PCB) order prohibiting the sale of firecrackers in the state.

In 2019, the Kamrup (M) administration had assigned 21 places in Guwahati where retail firecrackers can be sold. The decision was taken keeping in mind the security and safety of general public.

This year, EastMojo visited some of those designated site to take stock of preparations or lack thereof following the NGT order.

One such place is Brindaban Garden at Zoo Road Tiniali which lacked any pomp and grandeur, as it stands deserted with no people or colourful stores selling firecrackers.

With schools limping back to normalcy, Geetanagar High School in Guwahati which was part of the list of designated places to sell firecrackers carried the same eerie look adding to the looming emptiness with no students along with no stalls this Diwali.

At Ganeshguri near Gopal Boro High School, stalls along the footpath are selling decorative items, earthen lamps and colors for rangoli but firecrackers are nowhere to be seen.

“We only have earthen lamps and other decorative items to sell this year as we are not allowed to sell firecrackers this year,” said one of the shopkeepers at Ganeshguri.

Even at Six Mile, just below the flyover where shops lit the entire area with the buzz of people and colourful firecrackers, now stands deserted with no shops or colours.