6 sites approved in Ranchi for sale of Diwali firecrackers | Ranchi News

Five retail locations include Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Bariatu Housing Ground, Shastri Ground in Chutia, Seth Sitaram Ground in Doranda, and the site opposite Harmu Kali Ground. Temporary wholesale outlets will be set up at Morabadi Ground to serve bulk buyers and small vendors

Ranchi: The district administration has approved five locations in the city as designated cluster sites for sale of Diwali fireworks this year. Temporary retail stalls at the cluster sites will operate from Nov 4 to 8, officials said.Five retail locations include Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Bariatu Housing Ground, Shastri Ground in Chutia, Seth Sitaram Ground in Doranda, and the site opposite Harmu Kali Ground. Temporary wholesale outlets will be set up at Morabadi Ground to serve bulk buyers and small vendors.Yogesh Kumar of Trade Friends, a local wholesale fireworks firm, said, “Small vendors from Ranchi and nearby places also come here to buy fireworks for setting up their businesses before Diwali. If the wholesale shops are too far for them to reach, they can come to Morabadi Ground and buy products.”Shayan Zafar, president of the Chotanagpur Fireworks Dealers Association (CFDA), welcomed the cluster model, saying centralised sale points help manage festive crowds and reduce safety risks.“Every year, around 1,200 vendors are provided license to set up temporary shops at the designated places. The move is to ensure that firecrackers are being sold legally, and safely,” he said.

Under licensing rules, traders can sell only certified green crackers. Licence holders must obtain a no objection certificate from the fire service department and follow safety directives, including keeping buckets of sand and water, fire extinguishers, and heavy blankets at every stall. Testing or bursting fireworks within 50 metres of the stalls is prohibited.“As wholesale dealers, we do not supply products to any trader who lacks a valid license from the district administration, as doing so would invite strict action against both the wholeseller and the retail vendor. We also educate traders on mandatory safety standards and regulatory guidelines,” Zafar added.The setup saw brief friction on Friday night when Ranchi Municipal Corporation issued notices barring stalls outside Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, calling it its property and warning of legal action. On Saturday, DC Manjunath Bhajantri said it was a misunderstanding and the issue had been resolved.