Neglect of norms common in city firecracker units
Written by Writer on Friday, October 24th, 2008
Neglect of norms common in city firecracker units
24 Oct 2008, TNN
JAIPUR: These things may be dangerous but are an integral part of all the major celebrations in the city. Be it a marriage ceremony, religious function or winning a cricket match, every achievement is marked with fireworks.
However, it’s a grand show on the Diwali. The combination of lights and sweets followed by firecrackers add more sparkle to the celebrations.
Presence of all these in close proximity at crowded city markets though makes a dangerous mix. The administration satisfies its security concerns while issuing the licences.
“There is a long list of norms that are observed before a licence is issued to any retail trader, safety is never ignored during such occasions,” said an official.
However, neglect of security norms is common. Many shops do not have proper arrangements to counter any fire incident while some have open electrical circuits inviting tragedies. Some fireworks shops are in close proximity to sweet shops and electrical outlets. At times the minimum distance between two shops is even less than 15 metres.
Despite the low intensity of the explosive used in firecrackers, handling them still remains a tricky task.
A slight negligence can result in an accident. Yet even minor shop assistants can be seen managing these shops. This poses danger not only for the public but also for the traders.
But neither the shop owners nor the shoppers appear much bothered about the risks involved. “We have been selling firecrackers for many years and nothing has gone wrong so far. Besides, accidents can occur at any place,” says a firecrackers salesman carelessly.
As the firecracker shops sprout at all the major markets of the city, public safety becomes a major issue. There are around 900 odd temporary retail firecracker shops in the city holding huge amount of explosives.
