The Bokaro administration has directed officials to act against unauthorised firecracker sellers and enforce safety rules ahead of Diwali and Chhath, with particular attention to temporary stalls operating along roadsides, in congested areas and in narrow lanes.
Chas sub-divisional officer Pranjal Dhadha said all police stations, outpost in-charges and administrative officials had been instructed to identify shops selling firecrackers without licences and take action against them. The direction was issued on Monday as the administration began preparations for the festival sales period.
Block-level officials have also been asked to monitor temporary firecracker stalls. The administration’s instructions cover both licensing and the location of sales points, reflecting concerns about the risks created when combustible material is sold in crowded parts of the city or close to residential and commercial activity.
Officials have been told to ensure that firecracker sales are restricted to designated locations. Shops and temporary stalls should not operate from narrow lanes where emergency vehicles could face difficulty reaching the site, according to the direction reported by the Times of India.
The administration said unauthorised stalls in congested localities could create fire and safety risks. The concern is particularly significant in areas where closely placed buildings, roadside activity and festival crowds can limit access for fire tenders and other emergency vehicles. The directive, however, does not identify specific locations where enforcement action will be carried out or provide details of the number of licensed sellers in the district.
The instructions apply to traders dealing in firecrackers and require them to comply with safety norms prescribed by the Bokaro-Chas fire department and provisions of the Explosives Act. The administration has not announced a separate enforcement timetable or disclosed the penalties that may be imposed on sellers found operating without the required licence.
The role assigned to police stations, outpost officials and block-level administrative officers places monitoring across multiple levels of local administration. Police and administrative teams are expected to identify unauthorised sales, while block officials will oversee temporary stalls and their compliance with the prescribed conditions.
The location of firecracker markets is a recurring municipal safety issue during major festivals because the sale of explosive material intersects with crowd management, road access and emergency response. In Bokaro and Chas, the administration’s current order specifically links the enforcement of licensing rules with the need to keep congested areas and narrow lanes accessible.
The administration has asked traders to follow the safety requirements of the Bokaro-Chas fire department and the Explosives Act as festival sales begin. Officials have been directed to monitor stalls and take action against unauthorised sellers during the period leading up to Diwali and Chhath.
