Illegal firecracker stalls have reportedly spread across Pune ahead of Diwali, including in densely populated neighbourhoods, major markets, footpaths and narrow lanes, despite the Pune Municipal Corporation permitting sales at only 11 designated locations. The reported expansion has raised concerns over fire safety, blocked roads and the risk to residents and pedestrians.
According to a report by Pudhari, the civic body has approved 184 firecracker stalls through an auction process at the 11 designated sites. The permissions include 40 conditions intended to regulate the location and operation of the stalls. The municipal practice of allowing firecracker sales in open spaces, grounds or riverbed areas is intended to reduce the risk of fire spreading to homes, shops and other establishments.
However, unauthorised stalls have reportedly appeared in areas including Sadashiv Peth, along footpaths on Sinhagad Road and on roads in narrow lanes. The report states that some stalls have been erected after cutting tree branches or obstructing roads. Several have also been set up under basic cloth sheds, raising concerns about the consequences of a fire in a congested urban setting.
The reported violations involve specific safety requirements. Two firecracker sales stalls are required to have a minimum separation of three metres. A stall must also be located at least 10 metres away from a main road or another establishment. These provisions are intended to provide separation between combustible goods, shoppers, traffic and neighbouring properties. The reported placement of stalls in crowded areas indicates that these requirements may not be uniformly enforced across the city.
The issue also highlights the difference between permission and enforcement in seasonal street commerce. A designated-site system can restrict the storage and sale of firecrackers to locations assessed for access and safety, but stalls outside that system can create risks that are harder to manage. In congested neighbourhoods, an unauthorised stall may affect not only fire safety but also pedestrian movement, emergency access and the use of public footpaths.
Pudhari reported that the Pune Municipal Corporation’s disaster management department has written to the encroachment control department seeking action against unauthorised firecracker stalls. The disaster management department has warned that an incident at a location without formal fire brigade permission could result in substantial loss of life and property.
The report does not state how many unauthorised stalls are operating or how many enforcement actions have already been completed. It also does not identify individual stall operators or record a response from the affected vendors. The immediate administrative question is when the civic body will inspect the reported locations and remove stalls that do not meet the municipal and fire-safety requirements.
