Three firecracker sale zones in Doon, but early sales reported in several areas

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun

The Dehradun district administration has identified three locations for firecracker sales during Diwali this year, while reports of unauthorised sales in several other parts of the city have raised questions about enforcement. The designated locations are Rangers Ground, the area near Hindu National Inter College on Park Road and the Old Roadways Bus Stand on Gandhi Road.

Dehradun district magistrate Ashish Chauhan has directed officials to ensure that firecrackers are sold only through licensed vendors and that safety arrangements are in place. Other suitable locations may also be approved by the city magistrate and sub-divisional magistrates in coordination with the police.

However, firecrackers were reportedly being sold before the licensing process began in areas such as Supply Road, Baniyawala, Jakhan, Raipur and Moti Bazaar. Licences are scheduled to be issued from November 3 for the festive period. Officials have warned that action would be taken against sellers operating without valid licences.

The previous year’s figures also show a reduction in the number of licences. The district administration issued 780 licences in 2025, compared with 1,068 in 2024. Of the 780 licences issued last year, 530 were in Kotwali, Rajpur and Dalanwala areas, 140 in Raipur and Clement Town and 110 in Cantt, Vasant Vihar and Premnagar.

For this year, the administration has made fire extinguishers, safety equipment and CCTV surveillance mandatory at designated sale points. Schools, hospitals, courts, religious places and crowded markets have also been identified as restricted areas for firecracker sales.