Over 300 temporary firecracker stalls planned across Visakhapatnam ahead of Deepavali
Around 300 temporary firecracker stalls are being set up across Visakhapatnam ahead of Deepavali. However, the Andhra University (AU) Engineering College Grounds, the traditional venue for the annual sales, will not be available this year as the premises have been earmarked for the CII Partnership Summit, scheduled to begin on November 13, 2026.
The Fire Department has identified two alternative sites within the AU campus: one near the Polamamba Temple and the other close to the Football Ground, near the university’s out-gate. Other sites include Adarsha Grounds in Gajuwaka, Pendurthi, Sujatha Nagar, Madhurawada and Kailasagiri.
GVMC Regional Fire Officer B. Ramprakash said around 300 temporary stalls had been granted permission after scrutiny of applications and verification of safety requirements. The two AU sites are expected to accommodate 150 to 160 stalls, while the remaining outlets will be spread across the city.
Authorities have also stepped up inspections to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. In Anakapalli district, where unauthorised storage and manufacture of firecrackers had resulted in fatalities in the past, Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha has directed police personnel to inspect manufacturing units, storage godowns and temporary sales outlets.
Sinha said traders must obtain temporary licences from the concerned departments before storing or selling firecrackers and procure stocks only from authorised wholesale dealers. He warned that unauthorised storage and sale, particularly in residential areas, would invite criminal cases and stringent legal action.
Eye-care specialists have also cautioned people, particularly children, against firecracker-related injuries. These can range from irritation and surface abrasions to corneal damage, internal bleeding, traumatic cataracts and retinal injuries. Severe cases could result in permanent vision loss, and bystanders are also at risk.
Dr Shilpa Tarini, consultant ophthalmologist at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), GMR Varalakshmi Campus, advised people to gently rinse their eyes with clean water or saline if debris entered them. She advised against attempting to remove any foreign object lodged in the eye. The injured eye should be kept closed and protected with a clean, dry cloth or eye shield without applying pressure. People should seek immediate medical attention from an eye-care specialist or the nearest emergency department.
Railway, police and APSRTC officials have urged the public not to carry firecrackers on public transport vehicles. The Railways will also operate special trains to manage the additional passenger demand during the Deepavali rush.