Kolkata: Three stalls found selling duplicate and contraband fireworks at last year’s Bazi Bazaar have been blacklisted by the Burrabazar Fireworks Dealers Association (BFDA) and denied space at this year’s market on the Maidan, as organisers tighten checks to prevent the entry of banned, locally made or unauthorised products.The fair, scheduled to start on Wednesday after a final inspection, will have 40 stalls. Each stall owner has signed an undertaking declaring that no duplicate, banned or local unauthorised fireworks will be stocked or sold. BFDA officials said any violation would invite immediate action, including cancellation of allotment and reporting to enforcement agencies.Police, fire services personnel and KMC officials inspected the market on Monday. BFDA president Santanu Dutta said safety and compliance had been made the central conditions for this year’s bazaar, particularly after the Chorbagan tragedy. “The focus at the Bazi Bazaar has always been on safety. This year, the scrutiny is even more intense. The distance between stalls, earlier 3 metres or about 9.8 ft, has been increased to 10 ft,” he said.The Kolkata Police commissioner has been invited to inspect the site around 11 am on Wednesday. Sales will begin only after the inspection is completed and clearance is granted, Dutta said.BFDA executive committee member Sushil Kumar Golcha said only CSIR-NEERI-approved green fireworks would be allowed. More than 90% of the stock has been sourced from established manufacturers in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. From Bengal, products will be permitted only from three CSIR-NEERI-approved manufacturers: Akash Ganga, Champion and Burima.Golcha said stalls that had sold duplicate Cock and Sony brand fireworks last year had been banned from participation. The Bengal manufacturers will supply items such as flowerpots, chakkars and sparklers, while most shells, shots and repeaters will come from Sivakasi.
