MC scrambles for cracker sale sites after backlash over park allocation

In view of the renovations at the sprawling Burlton Park in Jalandhar, the MC's pursuit for an alternative site for the sale of crackers in view of Diwali festivities has hit the wall. A new controversy has cropped up over the reports of the allocation of a park for the site. Following strong objections against all proposed sites so far, the MC has witheld the declaration of a site until September 26.

The district administration and MC has been scurrying for days to allot two sites for hundreds of cracker vendors to set up shop ahead of Diwali. This has been necessitated due to the Burlton Park - the designated site for cracker sale for decades in Jalandhar - being under renovation.

Earlier, Lyallpur Khalsa Senior Secondary School at Nakodar Chowk and Chara Mandi (fodder market) had been shortlisted as potential cracker sale sites. However, objections were raised due to safety concerns — the school has only one gate and is located in a traffic-congested area, while the mandi is situated near an oil depot. In response, the Municipal Corporation selected Shaheed Beant Singh Memorial Park near Focal Point, a public park, as an alternative site. Now, following further complaints, officials have stated that this park site is also under reconsideration.

A complaint was filed by environmental activist Tejaswi Minhas against the the grant of NOC to a park as a site for the sale of crackers in the city. The complaint, filed with the CM Office, states that the the allocation of a park site would be a violation of environmental laws as well as the Park Management Rules of 2017.

The complainant, alleges, that an NOC to the park is "100 per cent illegal and against all local, state and national environmental laws" and such a decision is in "direct contravention of the Park Management Rules of 2017 laid down by the Ministry of Local Bodies, Government of Punjab" which prohibits commercial activity inside public parks.

The complaint also highlights the languishing state of the park and raises concerns over the commercial activity posing serious risk to the existing green cover.

Jalandhar MC Mayor Vaneet Dhir said, "The MC has so far hasn't designated any site for the sale of crackers. Due to objections on the safety hazards on the sites proposed so far, no place has been finalised as yet. Discussion is on and a proper site will be shortlisted by tomorrow evening, keeping in view the safety of residents."

Applications for licences for the sale of crackers will be accepted from September 25 to September 28. Every year 20 to 60 stalls are set up at Burlton Park for cracker sale.