Firecracker vendors seize footpaths of major roads in city

Surat: It is mandatory for firecracker stall owners to take licence, but street vendors are selling firecrackers without any, risking the lives of people in the city. Dozens of cracker vendors have already occupied footpaths of main roads at Bhagal, Adajan, Udhana, Varachha, Katargam and Walled City to sell firecrackers.
One can witness street vendors sitting in rows, selling firecrackers of different shapes, sizes and varieties at Bhagal in the Walled City. Police and officials of Surat Municipal Corporation are yet to take any action against them.

Chief fire officer (CFO), SMC, Vasant Parekh told TOI, “Licence under BPMC Act for selling firecrackers is given by health department. We give our opinion depending on space, locality and types of firecrackers to be sold.”

Parekh said bursting of firecrackers leads to release of gases like carbon monoxide (CO) carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur and phosphorous that adds to air pollution levels of the city. It also creates noise pollution of high decimal.

A health department officer of SMC said, “Street vendors selling crackers on road generally buy small quantities from wholesalers and try to earn their livelihood for some 20 days. They are a big nuisance and a mishap could risk the lives of people. We do carry out regular raids, but they reappear. These street vendors get their daily supply of firecrackers on wholesale rates from dealers. At times, they even sell outdated firecracker stock as well.”