Pimpri Chinchwad has thousands of cracker stalls before Diwali but only 33 licences so far

Pimpri Chinchwad, October 26, 2026: Firecracker stalls are about to come up across Pimpri Chinchwad ahead of Diwali. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has directed all its ward offices to take strict action against shopkeepers selling firecrackers without a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire brigade and other required permissions.

The administration has asked officials to carry out joint inspections in their areas, take stern action against stalls without permission, and ensure that no one is allowed to start selling without the required approvals. Officials will also have to submit a report on the action taken.

The crackdown stems from concern over fire safety. On January 1, a fire broke out at a firecracker shop in Kalewadi, putting patients in nearby hospitals at risk. This month, firecrackers brought for the opening of a shop in Rupeenagar also caught fire, raising further questions about safety arrangements.

Thousands of firecracker stalls operated across the city during Diwali last year, but the fire brigade gave NOCs to only 105 applicants. Complaints about unauthorised stalls on roads and vacant plots kept coming in, yet action remained a concern.

Under the rules for temporary sale of firecrackers, the corporation's fire brigade grants a temporary NOC only to authorised shops with a permanent RCC structure and a shutter. The restrictions are meant to prevent fire hazards and protect lives and property.

This year, the administration has received 68 applications for permission to sell firecrackers. Of these, 33 applicants have been approved, while 28 applications are being processed. The remaining applications are not accounted for in the figures given.

The fire brigade has asked traders not to set up stalls before getting the required permission. Those without permission may face action, including seizure of stock.

Meanwhile, allegations have also surfaced that during the festival season, people from the corporation and the police take money from those running firecracker stalls without permission. The allegations have raised questions about the enforcement of safety rules, and people are waiting for concrete action from the administration.

Venkatesh Duravas, deputy commissioner of the PCMC fire brigade, said ward officers have been instructed in writing to carry out joint inspections immediately, take strict action against shopkeepers operating without permits, and not allow firecracker sales to begin without the required approvals.