Around 550 shopkeepers have so far applied for licence to sell firecrackers in the State capital at the Collectorate. Noteworthy, DM SA Murugeshan has demarcated the areas where dealers would be allowed to sell firecrackers in the district. SA Murugeshan, the official who is dealing with the matter, said that Diwali slated on October 19, traders based in Dehradun have submitted around 550 applications, seeking license between October 9 and October 13, for opening firecracker shops at various places in the city. Firecracker dealers would be allowed to sell the items between October 17 and October 21.
He further said that license for selling firecrackers would be issued for four days from October 17, adding that license would not be issued for the areas which were kept out of the sale zone by the administration in the previous years.
Murugeshan said that selling fire crackers have been prevented in several areas like Paltan Bazar from Kotwali to Clock Tower, Dhamawala from Kotwali to Babu Gunj Aadat Bazar Chowk, Moti Bazar, Old Sabji Mandi to Hanumaan Mandir, Hanumaan Chowk, Jhanda Mohalla, Ramleela Bazar, Band Bazar, Anand Chowk to lakshman Chowk, Dispensary Road, Clock Tower to Chakrata Road, Chakrata Road to Mahumaan Mandir, Survey Chowk to DAV (PG) College Road and Karanpur main market besides the narrow streets of the city where fire tenders cannot reach in case of emergency.
He further said that no license would be issued for the crowded areas and within 200 metre parameter of the areas which are sensitive to fire. license would be released for fixed period, he said, adding that action would be taken against the violators of the order.
Dehradun fire station officer SP Mamgai said that some traders have applied for no-objection certificates (NOC) from Dehradun fire service department for selling firecrackers during the Deepawali festival.
They are taking all the required measures to stop fire-related accidents during the Deepawali festival, he added.