Pune Municipal Corporation has permitted 184 firecracker stalls at 11 designated locations for Diwali, but unauthorised stalls have reportedly appeared across dense residential areas, market zones, footpaths and narrow lanes, raising concerns over fire safety and public access.
The report by Pudhari – Pune said stalls had been set up in areas including Sadashiv Peth, along the Sinhagad Road footpath and on roads inside narrow neighbourhood lanes. Some stalls were reportedly erected after cutting tree branches or obstructing roads. Others were built using basic cloth shelters, increasing concerns about the consequences of a fire in crowded surroundings.
The civic administration permits firecracker stalls in open spaces, grounds or riverbeds because of the fire and accident risks associated with selling fireworks in built-up areas. This year, the permitted stalls were selected through an auction process across 11 locations. The approved stalls are subject to 40 conditions and requirements.
Among the stated rules, there must be a minimum distance of three metres between two firecracker sale units. A stall must also be at least 10 metres away from a main road or another establishment. These requirements are intended to provide separation between stalls and reduce the risk of fire spreading or obstructing movement around the sales area.
The report said these conditions were being openly disregarded at several unauthorised locations. Stalls in residential and commercial areas can create additional risks because of nearby buildings, pedestrians, vehicles, electrical infrastructure and limited access for emergency services. Roadside installations can also reduce usable footpath space and interfere with traffic movement.
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 also warned that an incident at a location without formal fire brigade permission could result in major loss of life and property.
The reported enforcement request places responsibility for immediate action with the civic departments dealing with encroachments and fire safety. However, the continued presence of unauthorised stalls across the city has led residents to question when the municipal action will begin and how compliance with the approved conditions will be monitored during the festive sales period.
