The fire department is going to issue advisory for both firemen and general public regarding the precautionary measures that have to be taken during the upcoming festival of Deepawali. The Dehradun District Magistrate has already marked the areas where the sale of fire crackers will be completely prohibited.

Dehradun Superintendent of Police (city) Shweta Choubey said, “It is our standard procedure to inform the shopkeepers and vendors who are being issued licence to sell crackers, about the safety measures they have to take from their end. This year, we are trying that maximum number of licences are issued to those people who are setting their shops in open area. The shops in areas which are crowded will not be licensed for sale of crackers. It is important that the shops selling crackers keep a bucket of sand nearby and other fire fighting equipment.”

She further added, “A person found selling fire crackers without licence or selling the same at non-designated areas will be booked under appropriate sections.”

According to information provided by a district fire official, their advisory is in two parts. The first one is for administration while the other part is for general citizens. For the administration, it is mandatory for fire officers to timely inspect water sources.

They will be asked to coordinate with Jal Sansthan to inspect the outlet valves which will be used in fire related emergency situations. The fire officers have also been asked to inspect the areas to ensure that there is no encroachment which can later obstruct the way of fire tenders.

Maximum number of force is to be deployed at sensitive areas and no shopkeeper or vendor will be allowed to sell or stock fire crackers at prohibited areas such as Dhamawala, Ghosi Gali and Jhanda market.

For the general citizens it is advisable to keep a check on the crackers which they are providing to their kids.