Gurugram, Oct. 23 -- Beyond the broken roads, heaps of garbage and narrow lanes of Gadoli lies one of Gurugram's busiest firecracker markets, where business is picking up ahead of Diwali. Shops are stacked with colourful boxes, customers arrive to buy in bulk, and salesmen promise attractive prices. At first glance, everything appears to be in order, with green firecrackers prominently displayed at storefronts. But behind these displays, another trade is flourishing, with banned polluting firecrackers being offered discreetly to customers who know what to ask for. During an HT spot check on Wednesday, traders were found selling firecrackers without visible green certification markings alongside products advertised as green crackers. Customers looking to purchase conventional varieties were directed towards a godown tucked away behind the main shopping area. Following them, HT entered a poorly maintained godown with exposed brick walls and shelves stacked with firecrackers, including bombs without visible green certification markings. Other varieties were stuffed into large polythene bags, opened only when customers requested particular products. Bargaining was brisk. Packets marked Rs.1,400 were being offered for Rs.400 to Rs.500, while sparklers cost Rs.500, bombs Rs.1,000 and flower pots, or anars, Rs.350. "You pick up the crackers you want, the price will be adjusted. I will talk to the owner," a salesman said. Traders expected business to increase as Diwali approached. "Till Diwali (November 8), we will remain open from 5am until late evening. People from nearby cities come here to buy firecrackers in bulk," a salesman said. "The number of customers will increase by the end of the week. On weekends, the footfall will rise even more. As Diwali nears, people will find it difficult to even park their cars. We offer the best rates here; that's probably why everyone returns to Gadoli year after year," he added. HT also found large quantities of firecrackers stored in shops and godowns without visible firefighting equipment. No fire extinguishers or other immediate firefighting arrangements were seen at the premises visited, raising safety concerns. Sushil Yadav, a Sector 37 resident, said he had bought green crackers but was also looking for conventional varieties. "I have bought green crackers but Diwali seems incomplete without ladis and firecracker bombs. I can't find them in a green variant," he said. Mamta Singh, another customer, appeared unconcerned about the restrictions. "It's a matter of just one day. My children want to burst crackers. I grew up burning them," she said. The sale of conventional firecrackers was not confined to Gadoli. At markets in Sector 56, Sector 46, Sector 14, Badshahpur and Farrukhnagar, HT found vendors discreetly offering traditional varieties, often keeping stock beneath tables or in sacks and selling only to regular customers or those specifically asking for them. At Sector 56's Huda Market, stalls were selling green crackers alongside conventional varieties. Some vendors also offered unsold stock from last year at discounted prices. Genuine green crackers carry certification markings, including the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) logo and a QR code for verification. Approved formulations include SWAS, SAFAL and STAR, designed to reduce emissions. However, conventional-looking varieties, including sparklers and flower pots, can also be manufactured using green formulations, making certification checks essential. The findings come amid restrictions on conventional firecracker sales in Delhi-NCR. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court declined to impose a blanket ban ahead of Diwali, favouring regulated sales and use instead of unrestricted bursting. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and Gurugram police have intensified checks. This week, HSPCB teams raided warehouses in Chandu and Farrukhnagar and sent samples for testing to establish whether the crackers met green certification requirements. "We have intensified our crackdown on illegal firecrackers. Multiple teams have been formed to check and ensure that no illegal firecrackers are stored or sold to customers. Only PESO-approved green firecrackers are allowed in Gurugram," said Harish Kumar, regional officer, HSPCB Gurugram North. A Gurugram police officer said teams were inspecting warehouses, godowns and shops following tip-offs to identify and seize illegal firecrackers....