Nagpur fire department issues 831 temporary NOCs for firecracker shops, up on last year
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's fire department has issued more firecracker shop permits this year than last, even as the High Court's curbs on bursting crackers stand.
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The High Court has already issued strict and clear directions on firecrackers in Nagpur district. How closely those orders will be followed remains to be seen, because according to figures from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's fire department, it has issued more no-objection certificates (NOCs) for firecracker shops this year than last year.
The fire department has provided figures for 2015 to 2026. The highest number in the past 12 years was 982 certificates, issued in 2016. The lowest was 582 certificates in 2020. In 2026, the department has issued a total of 831 temporary certificates.
The number of certificates declined after 2016 and fell to a low of 582 in 2020. It then rose again. In each of the three years from 2024 to 2026, the figure has stayed above 800.
According to an official of the fire department, firecrackers that reduce pollution are being brought into the market through new methods. Even so, they are quite loud. The High Court has banned the bursting of firecrackers after 10 pm.
Compliance with these directions is mandatory. However, experience so far is that firecrackers are burst in many areas even after midnight. Complaint calls also reach the fire department. Handling these complaints will be a challenge for the department.
The station-wise figures are as follows. The Ganjipeth fire station issued 77 certificates in 2015 and 74 in 2016. The lowest here was 35 in 2020, while 54 were recorded in 2026.
The Sakkardara fire station issued 180 certificates in 2015. It issued 170 in 2023 and 174 in 2024. The number fell to 98 in 2025 but rose again to 123 in 2026.
The Lakadganj station issued 81 certificates in 2015. It issued 186 in 2024, 154 in 2025 and 157 in 2026.
The Sugatnagar fire station issued 141 certificates in 2015 and 150 in 2016. The figure fell to 93 in 2020, and 110 certificates were issued in 2026.
The Narendranagar station issued its highest number, 385 certificates, in 2018. The number fell to 69 in 2020. It then issued 107 in 2025 and 128 in 2026.
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