Vastral Blast Aftermath: 30 Firecracker Shops Sealed In Kalupur Over Missing Permission Documents

Firecracker shops have reportedly resumed operations in parts of Ahmedabad despite earlier inspections and sealing drives following the blast at a firecracker factory in Vastral village. In the latest action, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Estate Department sealed around 30 firecracker shops in Kalupur in the city’s central zone.

The action was carried out after civic officials received information that firecracker shops were operating along the road from Kalupur Darwaja towards Kalupur Tower.

The operators of the sealed shops have been given three days to submit documents proving the necessary permissions, including BU permission, fire safety clearance, police permission and approvals related to explosives.

30 Shops Sealed In Kalupur

Deputy Municipal Commissioner of the Central Zone, Ramya Bhatt, said the civic body received information about firecracker shops operating along the Kalupur Darwaja-Kalupur Tower stretch.

“Based on the information, around 30 shops have been sealed,” officials said. Shop operators have been directed to submit the required documents within three days.

Officials said that if any of the sealed premises are not being used for firecracker trading and are instead being used for another permitted business, they may be reopened after the necessary verification and procedure.

Questions Over Regular Inspections

Following the Vastral blast, the civic body’s Fire and Estate departments had conducted inspections of firecracker shops, warehouses and factories at various locations across Ahmedabad and taken action against establishments found violating norms.

However, the latest sealing drive in Kalupur has raised questions about whether such establishments were being regularly monitored after the earlier inspections and how long the shops had been operating before the civic authorities received information about them.

Firecracker Shops In Crowded Area Raise Safety Concerns

The Kalupur area is among Ahmedabad’s busiest commercial zones, with significant pedestrian and vehicular movement throughout the day. The presence of firecracker shops in such a densely populated area could pose a safety risk in the event of an accident or fire.

The sealed shops are also reportedly located around 500 metres from Kalupur Police Station.

The civic authorities will decide on further action after examining the documents submitted by the shop operators within the three-day deadline.