Sambalpur: 64 Firecracker Shops Licensed in Sambalpur Ahead of Diwali; Fireworks to be Sold at 22 Sites

Firecracker Shops for Diwali

Sambalpur: With just three days left for Diwali, the application period for setting up temporary firecracker shops in various parts of the district ended on the 24th of this month. The process of issuing licenses is ongoing through the judicial department of the district collector’s office. The delay in obtaining GST numbers and police permission has delayed many applications. By Sunday evening, the authorities had issued licenses to 64 applicants to open firecracker shops, while many applications remained pending. The administration will allow these temporary shops to operate from October 28 to November 1.

Application Process

To open a firecracker shop, apply at the district collector’s office with a temporary GST number, a police report, fire department approval, and a challan of ₹600. The licensing process continues even on weekends. Workers are nearing completion of stall construction in key Sambalpur locations such as PHD Padia, Charbati Padia, and Mandlia Padia, though the authorities have not received any applications for these locations yet. PHD Padia will have 45 to 50 stalls, Charbati 19-20, and Mandlia more than five.

Firecracker Sales Locations

In Sambalpur district, 22 locations have been identified for the sale of firecrackers across its three sub-divisions. The Sambalpur Sadar sub-division will have 14 shops, Kuchinda will have five, and Redhakhol will have three. The number of locations may increase as needed, according to departmental sources. In Sambalpur district, there are nine licensed permanent firecracker shops, including three in Sambalpur city and others in Gunderpur, Chaurpur, and Bamra Kabaribahal.

Safety Measures and Past Incidents

Given the high demand for firecrackers during Diwali, stalls are being set up in locations like PHD Padia, Charbati Padia, and Mandlia Padia, where fire safety measures will be implemented by the fire department. In the past, unregulated shops in various corners of the city have disregarded safety rules, leading to major incidents. In 2011, on October 26, more than 20 firecracker stalls caught fire in Sambalpur city. Another incident occurred on October 27, 2019, when a fire at Golebazar burned down over 90 shops during Diwali. The district administration, in coordination with the fire department, has taken several safety measures to ensure that vendors set up firecracker stalls in designated areas with proper safety precautions.

Designated Locations for Sales

Firecracker sales will take place at 22 locations across Sambalpur’s three sub-divisions. This includes:

• Sambalpur Sub-division: Goshala Durga Mandap Field in front of Burla Police Station, Unit-3 Khelapadia, Hirakud Police Station’s Subhas Football Field, Mandlia Padia under Khetrajpur Police Station, PHD Padia under Ainthapali Police Station, Sambalpur Town Unit-2 Charbati Padia under Dhanupali Police Station, and Ranikundabandh Padia under Sasan Police Station.
• Kuchinda Sub-division: Kukteswar Mandir Padia under Kuchinda Police Station, Arjunpali Football Field under Jamankira Police Station, Bamra Durga Puja Padia under Gobindpur Police Station, Gadaposh Weekly Market Padia, and Kesaibahal Panchayat Office Padia under Mahulpali Police Station.
• Redhakhol Sub-division: Kadam Padia under Redhakhol Police Station, Charmal Weekly Market Padia, and Naktideul College Padia.

More Safety and Security Measures

Firecracker stalls will be set up in a single location in Sambalpur to ensure better safety and regulations. The fire department will provide security at these locations to prevent incidents.