The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed seven firecracker shops in Shahpur for allegedly operating without the required permissions or fire-safety clearances, intensifying enforcement ahead of the Diwali season in one of the city’s densely built-up areas.
Teams from the civic body’s estate and fire departments carried out checks in Shahpur’s main market and areas near residential societies, according to a report by Sandesh. The inspection focused on whether traders possessed the necessary licences, no-objection certificates and fire-safety equipment for storing and selling firecrackers.
The seven shops were sealed on the spot after officials reportedly found that the traders could not produce the required approvals or documentary evidence authorising the activity. The sealing action halted operations at the premises, although the report did not specify the names of the businesses, the quantity of firecrackers stored or the duration of the seals.
The enforcement drive comes as firecracker sales increase before Diwali and as the AMC steps up checks against unauthorised storage and trading in crowded parts of Ahmedabad. Shahpur forms part of the city’s older, densely settled walled-city area, where narrow lanes, closely packed buildings and busy markets can complicate emergency response.
The civic action follows similar enforcement in Kalupur, where authorities had earlier conducted surprise inspections and sealed firecracker shops allegedly operating without permission. The latest operation indicates that the AMC is extending the checks across other parts of the old city rather than limiting action to a single market.
The urban safety concern is not limited to whether a shop has a commercial licence. Firecrackers are combustible goods, and their storage in or near residential buildings and congested markets can increase the risk of fire spreading quickly. Narrow streets can also restrict the movement of emergency vehicles and make evacuation more difficult if an incident occurs. The report did not state that any fire had taken place at the Shahpur shops.
The AMC has warned small and large traders that selling firecrackers in residential areas or without appropriate safety arrangements is a legal violation. Officials have also indicated that further inspections will be carried out in Ahmedabad’s eastern and western zones.
According to the civic warning reported by Sandesh, shops found selling firecrackers without approval may face action including sealing without prior notice. The next phase of enforcement will determine whether the AMC identifies additional unauthorised outlets and whether traders comply with licensing and fire-safety requirements before continuing sales.
