Of the 445 temporary permits issued to firecracker vendors, barely 50 have set up shop at designated marts on Morabadi and Harmu grounds, Jaipal Singh Stadium premises on Kutchery Road and Seth Sitaram School campus, citing lack of basic amenities.

While the authorities have allegedly failed to install modular toilets, water kiosks or even dustbins, safety and security are also questionable in the absence of standby fire tenders and police patrol.

Gulam Murtaza of Atishbaji Centre, one among the 11 cracker kiosks set up on Morabadi grounds till Sunday, said every shop was equipped with fire extinguishers, sand buckets and water to honour the district administration’s blaze advisory. Also, no minor has been employed.

“But, what have the authorities done for us? There are no toilets, drinking water or garbage bins as promised. We have hired our own security guards because cops are MIA,” he said.

Traders Harshit Gupta and Subhas Sahu claimed theft attempts at their stalls in Morabadi on Saturday night. “We informed Bariatu police station. Two cops came by and gave us their mobile numbers for use if there was another emergency. There is no patrolling. We decided to hire private guards,” said Sahu. Gupta nodded in agreement.

This correspondent visited at least two temporary cracker marts to check if the fire safety advisory was being followed. While all stalls in Morabadi had fire extinguishers, one among the 11 at Jaipal Singh Stadium did not. Lack of basic amenities was discernible and not a single fire tender was in sight.

“What if a fire breaks out here? It will be like a trap for both buyers and sellers. We have spent from our pocket to erect stalls; electricity charges are extra. These kiosks are temporary and will be removed after Diwali, but still we had to spend a fortune. And yet, the authorities don’t care,” said Umakant, a vendor in Morabadi.

Vijay Kumar, a vendor at Jaipal stadium, said the RMC should have at least provided a water tanker on daily basis.

In fact, no one from the district administration has visited the marts to check if the advisory is being followed. According to rule, the distance between two cracker shops is supposed to be at least three metres. But, most kiosks were filed against each other

District arms officer Rajesh Kumar Singh said he would asked the fire department to keep its vehicles on standby near the marts.

“Local thana and the fire department were authorised to inspect stalls. I believe that survey was conducted. But, district officials will conduct a fresh survey. No shopkeeper had demanded modular toilet before. If they want one, it will be provided,” Singh said.