Police have started the process for issuing licence to set up firecracker shops for Diwali to be celebrated on November 7.

Deputy commissioner of police Akhileswar Singh told The Telegraph that restrictions had been imposed on setting up of such shops near residential areas. “Locations will be specified as part of providing alternative to

those keen on setting up cracker shops along the main roads or near any residential areas in the city,” Singh said.

The police will issue temporary licence to set up such shops only in open spaces on vacant lands and playgrounds identified on the basis of reports from police stations in the city. The restriction had been imposed for the first time in 2016.

Assistant commissioner of police Asim Mishra said 235 applications for the temporary licence had been received so far. “While more applications are expected to be received, the task of issuing licence started on Tuesday,” he said.

The police have earmarked 30 locations across the city for those being issued licence for setting up firecracker shops.

Mishra said the locations had been identified on the basis of the applications received. He said the applicants — being issued temporary licence on production of no-objection certificates from their respective police stations — are expected to adhere to the fire safety guidelines.

The cops had decided to allow 50 shops in one cluster (row) with at least 50 metres distance between two clusters and asked the fire service wing to inspect the shops and give a clearance.

Among the open places earmarked for opening up shops are Killamaidan, Engineering school ground, a vacant place near Windsor palace, police ground near OMP Square, Chauliaganj field, three locations on the Kathajodi embankment side from Devigada to Khannagar.

Mishra said only crackers with reduced emissions and the green crackers will be allowed for sale and use. The joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) are banned.

All cracker wholesalers had been asked to shift their godowns to outside the city limits and cautioned that licence would be renewed only when they fulfil the safety guidelines.

In Cuttack, almost all the firecracker godowns had been concentrated in the residential areas contiguous to Jhola Sahi, Nandi Sahi, Choudhury Bazar and Jaunliapatti.

The Indian Fire Explosive norms prescribe that there should not be any residence within 200 metres radius of a firecracker godown, and there must be source of sufficient water nearby.