CHENNAI: In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s stringent restrictions on bursting crackers during Deepavali, the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services is reportedly going slow on issuing no-objection certificate (NOC) for setting up retail cracker outlets in Chennai. Also, there is 20 per cent drop in the number of applications received compared to last year.
As on October 25, the department has received 877 applications seeking cracker NOC,of which district fire officers of North Chennai, South Chennai, Central Chennai and Chennai Suburban have cleared only 258 while 614 are kept pending and five applications rejected.
Coming to other districts, fire officers seem to have taken a liberal approach to issuance of NOC for nearly 85 per cent of applicants. Overall, 5,751 applications were received and NOC was issued to set up 4,539 retail outlets in the State.
M Shahul Hameed, Joint Director, Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Region), told Express that the officers were waiting for formal guidelines to be issued by the State government in the aftermath of the apex court order. “In Chennai, there would be further scrutiny while issuing temporary licences by the police. The number may further come down. Besides, there is general awareness among public and slowly the level of cracker busting is coming down. In 2016, we received 1,119 applications, last year the number dropped to 1,092 and this year to 877,” he said.
Shambhu Kallolikar, chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), told Express that a high-level meeting was held on Friday last, chaired by Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan discussing the SC order. “We will be asking the fire services and police not to issue licences to outlets selling banned crackers,” he said.
However, the authorities are sceptical about enforcing some of the SC directions such as bursting crackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm on the day of Deepavali and community bursting.
Vulnerable areas
Based on the incidents related to fireworks and injuries reported, the fire department has identified 19 additional vulnerable areas, apart from 38 locations, which already have fire stations. In South Chennai, Ayodhya Mandapam (West Mambalam), Panagal Park, T Nagar bus stop, Luz Corner, Srinivasapuram, Kathipara Junction, Tambaram bus stop, Pallavaram bus stop and Sholinganallur signal are identified as vulnerable areas.
In Central Chennai, Anna Nagar East, Ayanavaram, Purasawakkam, and Thana Street, in North Chennai, Flower Bazaar police station, Royapuram, Bakthavachalam Nagar and Ennore beach are added to the list. In Chennai suburban section, Thiruvottiyur (Theradi), Annai Sivagami Nagar and Porur round-tana are identified as vulnerable areas.
Ban on sale of crackers in commercial complexes
Meanwhile, an official circular sent by KP Maghendhran, DGP/Director, Fire and Rescue Services, on October 5 to all officials dealing with the issuance of NOC in the State bans the sale of crackers in commercial complexes, malls and big halls. Besides, restrictions are clamped on the setting up of firecracker shops near residential areas and along main roads to ensure safety and prevent accidents. Meanwhile, all staff are instructed not to go on leave between October 18 and November 7. A total of 1,000 personnel are being deployed to attend to emergencies from November 5 to 7.