Ahmedabad police have tightened checks on illegal firecracker manufacturing and sales ahead of Diwali, cancelling or suspending all six manufacturing licences and revoking nine permanent retail licences. Authorities have also suspended seven retail licences and issued notices to 17 traders for construction-related violations, leaving no authorised firecracker manufacturing unit operational in the city.
Of the 145 permanent firecracker retail licences in Ahmedabad, 105 have been renewed. Seven applications remain under review following consultations with the Fire Brigade and other agencies, while 17 traders have received show-cause notices for failing to comply with construction rules.
Manufacturing units in Ramol shut
The six previously licensed firecracker manufacturing units were located in the Ramol area. Following a recent incident, authorities permanently cancelled the licences of four units and suspended the remaining two. As a result, no firecracker manufacturing unit currently holds an active licence in Ahmedabad city.
Police have revoked nine of Ahmedabad's 145 permanent firecracker retail licences and suspended seven for rule violations. Seventeen traders have received notices over construction-related violations, while seven other licence applications remain under review by the Fire Brigade and other agencies.
Temporary licences under process
Authorities have received 96 applications for temporary firecracker sales licences, each valid for 30 days. Of these, 14 have been approved after receiving favourable reports from the respective police stations. The remaining applications, along with three new applications received on Tuesday, will be processed once the local police stations submit their reports.
Police have made it mandatory for firecracker shops to maintain a minimum distance of 15 metres between two outlets to comply with safety regulations. Police inspectors across the city have been instructed to conduct regular and surprise inspections to prevent the unauthorised sale of firecrackers.
Inspections to continue
Inspectors must also ensure all traders hold valid licences and follow the prescribed safety requirements. With stricter checks in place ahead of Diwali, police are focusing on ensuring that firecracker traders follow licensing, construction and safety rules.
Regular and surprise inspections will continue to curb unauthorised sales, while temporary sales permissions will depend on clearance from the respective police stations.
