The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has been working to maintain a pollution-free environment in the city. However, the approval of 844 firecracker shops this Diwali could lead to a rise in air and noise pollution. Although the number of shops is nine fewer than last year, the reduction may not be enough to make a significant difference.
As per the NMC Fire Department, 2016 saw the highest number of firecracker shops in the last decade, with 982 shops, despite the city having only eight fire stations at that time. In 2019, the Trimurti Nagar fire station was added, increasing the total to 11 stations. New fire stations have recently started operating in Punapur and Wathoda, and this year, nine of the city’s fire stations issued fire safety clearances for the approved shops.
The Sakkardara fire station approved the highest number of firecracker shops this year, with 174 approvals, while Kalamna fire station approved the fewest, with only 18. In addition to Sakkardara, over 100 shops were also approved by the Lakadganj, Trimurti Nagar, and Civil Lines fire stations.
A total of 1,086 applications were submitted for setting up firecracker shops, out of which 242 were rejected due to safety concerns and other factors. The fire department generated more than ₹30 lakh in revenue through the issuance of NOCs for these shops.
Chief Fire Officer B.P. Chandankhede said that strict fire safety measures must be followed while approving firecracker shops. He stated that approvals were granted only after thoroughly inspecting compliance with all regulations. Additionally, there is a provision for immediate cancellation of licenses if any rules are violated.