Market to come up on Pathankot Road
Ahead of Diwali, the Jalandhar district administration has approved the setting up of a temporary cracker market at Raowali village on Pathankot Road, under the Maqsudan police station area.
According to the order issued by the District Magistrate, the temporary market will be established on around 5.5 acres of land belonging to Ajay Kumar, son of Chanchal Das. The approval has been granted after an inspection of the proposed site and consideration of reports from the concerned departments.
Strict safety distances prescribed
The administration has laid down several safety conditions for the temporary market. A 15-metre buffer zone will have to be maintained between the cracker shops and the parking area.
The order also specifies minimum distances from surrounding establishments. Temporary shops must maintain a distance of 50 metres from the National Highway and petrol pumps, 3 metres from other shops, 15 metres from factories and 50 metres from residential areas.
The guidelines are aimed at reducing the risk of fire and ensuring adequate space for emergency response during the festive rush.
Fire safety arrangements made mandatory
Each temporary cracker shop will be required to keep at least four portable fire extinguishers outside the shop. In addition, every shop must have a minimum 200-litre water tank.
The administration has also directed that no temporary shop should be established below or in the vicinity of power lines within the plot. The safety requirements are to be followed in accordance with the applicable Explosives Act and Department of Industries and Commerce guidelines.
Highway access and traffic rules
The order states that general highway access will not be permitted for the market. Entry and exit will be allowed from the rear side of the plot, while highway access will be restricted to ambulances and fire tenders.
Traffic management at the entry and exit points will be the responsibility of the organisers.
Cracker sales allowed till 7:30 pm
As per the approved conditions, crackers can be sold only between 10 am and 7:30 pm.
The District Magistrate has warned that any violation of the prescribed safety conditions could lead to cancellation of the permission without prior notice. The concerned departments have also been directed to ensure necessary safety, fire-fighting and emergency arrangements at the site.