Drives launched to review security compliance, emergency preparedness in cracker making units

Indore: After explosion at a firecracker factory in Dewas district claimed five lives, district administrations across western Madhya Pradesh on Sunday launched a coordinated inspection drives to review security compliance, licences, and emergency preparedness in cracker manufacturing units and storage facilities.

In Indore, collector Shivam Verma directed sub-divisional magistrates to inspect units within their jurisdictions.

A joint task force led by Mhow SDM and SDOP inspected multiple locations and found several violations of safety guidelines and inadequate worker protection measures.

Authorities sealed three units including Lakshmi Fireworks and Industry (Datoda), Satnam Fireworks (Simrol) and another manufacturing unit in Ghosikheda.

Dewas district administration deployed specialised inspection teams, resulting in sealing of over half a dozen shops and warehouses. Naib Tehsildar Pooja Bhati ordered closure of a residential-area shop operating directly opposite a high-voltage electricity distribution point.

In the Kshipra region, Naib Tehsildar Kapil Gujjar sealed Charbhuja Firecracker Shop after the management failed to produce its stock register, building fitness certificate, and electrical or fire safety clearances. Unlabelled firecrackers were also seized. Another warehouse faced licence cancellation proceedings after inspectors discovered large quantities of inflammable dry grass stored alongside explosives.

In Alirajpur, a police team from Kotwali station raided a residential property on Maulana Azad Marg following tip-offs regarding illegal storage. Law enforcement officials recovered 15 cartons containing assorted fireworks valued at Rs 1.18 lakh. The operator, Nitesh Gupta, was booked under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act after failing to produce regulatory permits.

Khandwa district administration also conducted safety audits across urban and rural sectors, including the Jai Ambe Traders Magazine in Sandalpur. Led by City Magistrate Bajrang Bahadur and CSP Abhinav Barange, officials verified stock registers, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits. Authorities warned operators that maximum-capacity limits must be strictly maintained, noting that extreme summer temperatures significantly increase the risk of accidental thermal ignition.