Sivakasi, Sept. 26 -- Firecracker units in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi have stepped up operations ahead of Diwali to meet rising orders from across the country.

The manufacturers and workers report a decline in production due to a shortage of labour and regulatory restrictions.

The firecracker industry remains a major source of livelihood for families in and around Sivakasi, with workers saying there are limited alternative employment opportunities in the surrounding villages.

Kannan, a manager at Udhayraj Fireworks who has been working at the factory for 10 years, said around 70 to 75 people are currently employed at the unit and that the fireworks business has been a source of livelihood for generations in the area.

"Compared to last year...