Pune: Unauthorized firecracker stalls have popped up across Pune, raising concerns over public safety and traffic congestion. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. has directed the encroachment department to dismantle these stalls set up on roads and footpaths and submit a report on their removal.

Traditionally, PMC allocates designated spots for firecracker sales through auctions at 15 ward (regional) offices. This year, however, only Vartak Garden in Shaniwar Peth attracted interest from vendors.

In contrast, makeshift stalls have appeared widely across the city, including Sinhagad Road, Sahakarnagar, Warje, and other neighborhoods, without any municipal permits.

These stalls often lack compliance with safety norms, and PMC currently has no information on whether basic safety guidelines are being followed.

For the past several days, neighborhoods such as Wadgaon Sheri, Dhanori, Dhayari, Sinhagad Road, Katraj-Kondhwa Road, Bibwewadi, and Kothrud have seen these illegal setups, impacting traffic flow and raising safety concerns.

After being notified about unauthorized firecracker stalls obstructing pedestrian pathways along Sinhagad Road, Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. instructed the encroachment department to prioritize public safety and remove these setups.

Political Pressure Allegations

There are allegations that certain stalls operate with backing from local political leaders, with some claiming that encroachment department employees have also turned a blind eye.

“Unauthorized firecracker stalls on public roads and sidewalks compromise public safety. We have instructed the encroachment department to take necessary action,” said Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B.P.