Ahmedabad: Stepping up safety checks ahead of the upcoming auspicious festival of Diwali , the estate department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Central Zone sealed 30 illegal firecracker shops along the busy stretch from Kalupur Darwaza to Kalupur Tower in the Old City area on Wednesday.
The crackdown follows a deadly July 18 factory fire in Ramol that claimed 10 lives, prompting a massive multi-agency safety drive across the city that initially shut down numerous unauthorised outlets. Aggrieved shopkeepers have been given a strict deadline of three days to produce building use (BU) permissions or impact fee payment proofs. Furthermore, the civic body warned that breaking the official seals would invite direct police complaints and prompt legal action. Though the standing committee temporarily unsealed these shops in Aug upon receiving indemnity bonds, authorities have resumed sealing operations ahead of the festive season to ensure public safety.