Nagpur bans rockets and sky shots till November 30 after over 42 fires in 24 hours

Aerial fireworks such as rockets and sky shots can no longer be set off anywhere in Nagpur until November 30. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Urban Disaster Management Authority (UDMA) has imposed a complete ban on them, saying the city saw a sharp rise in fires during Diwali.

The order was issued by Dr Vipin Itankar, who is both the municipal commissioner and chairperson of the authority. It applies across the municipal limits and runs from November 9 to November 30, 2026. Officials describe it as a precaution meant to prevent further accidents, protect public property and keep people safe.

The immediate trigger was Lakshmi Puja day, a Sunday, when more than 42 fires were reported across the city within 24 hours. The blazes caused heavy damage to public and private property. A preliminary inquiry found that sparks and burning material from rockets and sky shots fired into the air had started them.

The fire department has warned that such debris can land on neighbouring buildings, shops and parked vehicles. The danger is greatest at scrap shops, godowns, petrol pumps and any place where inflammable material is stored, and a fire there could cost lives and property on a large scale. Falling sparks are also a threat to the roofs of high-rise buildings and to slums.

The order says the ban was framed with Nagpur's layout in mind: its growing population, tall buildings, dense settlements, slums and large number of commercial establishments. Aerial fireworks are barred on rooftops and terraces, on balconies and in refuge areas, in narrow lanes, in slums and crowded residential neighbourhoods, in markets and commercial establishments, and in parking areas and other places where many people gather.

A report from the chief fire officer adds to the concern. It records that fire incidents climb during the festival period. More emergencies put extra strain on the fire brigade, and rescue teams may struggle to reach the spot, especially in congested areas.

The Nagpur Police Commissionerate and the corporation's fire department have been made responsible for enforcement, and the departments concerned have been told to follow the order strictly. Anyone who breaks it faces punitive and legal action under Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, along with the applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The administration has also appealed to citizens to respect the restrictions and to avoid any act that could start a fire or endanger a life. It says the aim is to make sure the fires seen during Diwali are not repeated.