The Kapurthala district administration in Punjab has implemented stringent regulations for the sale and use of firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festivities. In a move aimed at mitigating risks associated with noise pollution, fire incidents, and potential loss of life, authorities have designated specific sites for firecracker sales and imposed a complete ban on the sale of unlicensed fireworks and Chinese firecrackers.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Additional District Magistrate Shikha Bhagat issued special orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. These directives align with the guidelines previously set forth by the Supreme Court of India and the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The new regulations explicitly prohibit the sale of firecrackers, fireworks, and other explosive materials at any location other than those officially designated within the district’s boundaries.
Specific locations have been identified across various subdivisions of Kapurthala district to facilitate the regulated sale of firecrackers. In the Kapurthala subdivision, the grounds near Baba Peer Chaudhary and Baba Brahm Das on Nadala Road in Dhilwan have been selected as authorised selling points. For the Phagwara subdivision, a total of five sites have been approved: Akal Stadium in Satnampura, Dussehra Ground near Gol Chowk in Hadiabad, the New Vegetable Market on Hoshiarpur Road, the sports stadium at the Government Senior Secondary School on Old Post Office Road, and Sohan Singh Banga Market on Palahi Road.
Further afield, the Sultanpur Lodhi subdivision will see firecracker sales permitted at the New Vegetable Market located near Shaheed Udham Singh Chowk. In the Bholath subdivision, the designated areas include the Nagar Panchayat park near the Bein bridge, Sardar Balwant Singh Memorial Stadium in Nadala, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park on Begowal Road. The administration has made it unequivocally clear that any purchase or sale of firecrackers occurring outside these officially sanctioned venues will not be tolerated.
In parallel, municipal authorities have been directed to ensure readiness for potential emergencies. The Municipal Corporation Commissioners of Kapurthala and Phagwara, along with the Executive Officer of Sultanpur Lodhi, have been tasked with ensuring that fire brigade services are fully prepared to respond swiftly to any fire-related incidents throughout the festive period. This proactive measure underscores the administration’s commitment to public safety during a time often associated with increased fire risks.
Reinforcing safety protocols, the administration has also declared specific zones as silence areas, imposing a complete ban on the bursting of firecrackers within a 100-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, courts, and religious places. These silence zones are crucial for maintaining peace and preventing disturbance in sensitive areas. The enforcement of these comprehensive orders is set to commence on October 30 and will remain in effect until November 9, covering the critical period of Diwali celebrations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
