Ahmedabad Bars Cloth Tents for Temporary Firecracker Stalls Ahead of Diwali

Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad authorities have tightened fire safety norms for temporary firecracker stalls ahead of Diwali following the Ramol factory blast. Traders will no longer be allowed to operate from cloth tents or sheds made of inflammable materials and must use metal-sheet structures to obtain permission.

The new rules apply to stalls set up along roadsides, at crossroads and near residential societies. Traders must comply with prescribed fire safety standards, including adequate firefighting arrangements, before beginning sales.

The police department will seek clearance from the fire department before granting permissions. Stalls that fail to meet the required safety conditions will not be allowed to operate.

Mithun Mistry, in-charge chief fire officer, said the measures aim to minimise fire risks and prevent flames from spreading to nearby buildings and residential areas. Keeping a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water at a stall will not compensate for an unsafe structure.

Authorities have stepped up scrutiny after reports of temporary firecracker stalls operating without the required permissions. The stricter checks are intended to protect residents, shoppers and passers-by during the festive season. DeshGujarat