BBMP selects playgrounds for safe firecracker sales during Diwali

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In preparation for Diwali, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has designated 70 playgrounds to host 426 temporary firecracker shops, prioritising safety to prevent accidents during the festive season.

The BBMP has shared a list of the selected playgrounds and the corresponding number of shops with the police commissioner's office.

To ensure the safety of these sites, the police will collaborate with fire and emergency services to conduct comprehensive inspections. Following these safety assessments, applications from potential firecracker shop owners will be considered.

This proactive step was prompted by a tragic fire incident that occurred in October at a firecracker warehouse in Attibele, claiming the lives of 17 individuals.

A subsequent government investigation revealed safety violations in numerous firecracker shops. Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of the BBMP, has instructed local authorities to identify secure playgrounds suitable for setting up firecracker shops.

After thorough inspections, a list of approved playgrounds and the permissible number of shops has been submitted to the police commissioner's office.

According to this list, the east zone is expected to have the highest number of shops, with 101 spread across 23 playgrounds. The south zone is anticipated to accommodate 87 shops, while the Bommanahalli zone will have the fewest, with six shops distributed among three locations.

In response to a tragic firecracker accident near Bengaluru that resulted in 17 fatalities, the Karnataka government has implemented several safety measures.

These measures include a ban on the use of traditional firecrackers at political events, festivals, religious processions, and weddings.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have emphasised the importance of adhering to the Supreme Court's directive to exclusively use environmentally friendly "green crackers."

Violations of this ban may lead to legal action, and strict regulations will govern the sale of fireworks in Bengaluru and other cities throughout the state.