Ahmedabad has tightened enforcement on Diwali firecracker sales, with the police and fire departments barring unlicensed vending and ordering the removal of roadside carts and makeshift stalls that do not meet safety requirements. Authorities have cancelled nine permanent licences, suspended seven others and issued notices to 17 sellers for violations of construction rules.
The action covers the city’s 145 permanent firecracker sellers. According to Joint Commissioner of Police Ashwin Chauhan of the Licence Branch, 105 permanent licences have been renewed. Seven applications are still being processed after opinions were sought from the fire brigade and other agencies, while 17 traders have received show-cause notices over structures that do not comply with prescribed rules.
The enforcement follows a recent firecracker factory accident in the Ramol area. Six units in Ramol had their licences cancelled or suspended after the incident, including four whose permissions were permanently cancelled and two whose licences were suspended. Authorities said there is currently no permission for manufacturing firecrackers in Ahmedabad.
Temporary firecracker stalls will be allowed only after meeting specified conditions. Applicants must install metal-sheet sheds instead of cloth tents or makeshift structures and provide the required fire-safety equipment. The fire department will issue a no-objection certificate only after inspecting the site and verifying that the safety equipment is functional. Police approval will follow the fire department’s assessment.
The authorities have received 96 applications for temporary licences, which are issued for a period of 30 days. Fourteen applications have been approved after receiving favourable reports from the relevant police stations. Three new applications were received on Tuesday, while decisions on the remaining applications will be taken after local police reports are submitted.
A minimum distance of 15 metres is mandatory between two firecracker shops. Authorities have also instructed sellers to leave adequate open space after every five shops. Larger firecracker markets may arrange for a fire-fighting vehicle at the site by paying the prescribed charge, according to the fire department’s instructions.
Mithun Mistry, in-charge Chief Fire Officer, said roadside carts and temporary cloth structures used for firecracker sales would be removed immediately. Fire teams will conduct night inspections in different parts of Ahmedabad before Diwali to identify and clear illegal stalls. The fire department has also directed that temporary structures must have metal-sheet walls and roofs and be equipped with adequate fire-safety devices.
The licensing process involves coordination between the police, the district administration and the fire department. When the police Licence Branch or the Collector’s office seeks an opinion on a permanent or temporary licence, fire officials inspect the premises through deputy chief officers and divisional officers. The inspection checks whether the required fire-safety equipment is installed and operational.
Police station inspectors across the city have been instructed to conduct repeated checks and prevent the sale of firecrackers without valid licences. The fire department’s inspections and the processing of pending applications will continue ahead of the festival.
