Police intensify checks on cracker sales, safety rules across Rayalaseema before Deepavali

Police in Rayalaseema districts of Chittoor, Annamayya, Sri Sathya Sai, Kurnool, Anantapur and Nandyal have stepped up measures to regulate firecracker sales and prevent illegal storage, with temporary outlets, roadside stalls, and suspected unauthorised godowns coming under scrutiny on the eve of Deepavali.

In Chittoor, Seshapiran Street and Kattamanchi are among the known cracker-selling locations. Kadiri Road, Tipusulthan Ground and Vempalli in Madanapalle, besides the Rayachoti ring road stretch, are familiar trading points in Annamayya district. In Kurnool, Poola Bazar, Bongul Bazar, and Marwari Street are known for cracker sales. Outlets are also reported around the ISKCON Temple and Hyundai showroom stretch in Anantapur.

Prices of sparklers, flower pots, rockets, ground spinners and multi-shot crackers vary according to brand, size and quantity. Police checks are expected to cover licensing, stock limits and compliance with safety conditions.

Previous incidents have highlighted the dangers of illegal explosive handling. In December 2022, a 14-year-old boy died, and another person was injured in an explosion at an illegal cracker manufacturing unit in Sitaramnagar, Kurnool district. In April 2026, four people died, and 12 were injured in a detonator explosion at Kummaravandlapalli in Sri Sathya Sai district.

The A.P. Fire Services has introduced a WhatsApp facility at 9441236448 for temporary firecracker shop recommendations, with a prescribed fee of ₹500.

Chittoor district Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi said that special teams were formed to act against unauthorised manufacturing, transportation, storage, and sale of explosive materials. “Under the Explosives Rules, 2008, temporary firecracker shops must obtain valid licences from the competent authorities. The rules prescribe non-flammable structures, a minimum three-metre gap between shops, and a 50-metre distance from protected places,” he said.