41 Firecracker Shops Sealed in Jabalpur District Following Harda Tragedy
GG News Bureau
Jabalpur, 8th Feb. The administration in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district closed 41 firecracker stores on Wednesday for failing to comply with license regulations, following the Harda tragedy, according to an official.
On Tuesday, an explosion and after fire at a firecracker factory in MP’s Harda district killed 11 people and injured over 200.
Jabalpur Collector Deepak Saxena and Superintendent of Police Aditya Pratap Singh conducted inspections of firecracker manufacturing units, warehouses, and shops across the district. The examination revealed that 41 firecracker shops in the Kathunda area were violating license conditions and failing to maintain proper records.
Following the discovery of several infractions such as inadequate security measures, absence of fire NOC, and poor record-keeping, Collector Saxena ordered the immediate sealing of the firecracker establishments.
Emphasizing strict adherence to licensing regulations, Collector Saxena warned that non-compliance would not be tolerated, and shopkeepers failing to adhere to norms would face consequences to prevent any untoward incidents.
During the inspection, authorities also visited a sparkler manufacturing factory in Manegaon, which lacked clearance from the Pollution Control Board. The collector instructed officials to submit a detailed report on the factory, which spans over six and a half acres.
The press note further disclosed that there are a total of 137 shops or warehouses related to firecrackers and explosive substances in the district, all of which possess licenses currently under thorough scrutiny.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the blast, more than 100 individuals remain hospitalized across various facilities in Madhya Pradesh, while two individuals are reported missing, according to officials.
