Crackers seized from Delhi to be kept in PESO storage unit

New Delhi: Ever since its crackdown against illegal sale of firecrackers, the Delhi Police said it seized around 8,000 kg of crackers till Diwali. However, now the question arises about the storage of the confiscated crackers.

Since the normal malkhanas at different police stations are not well-equipped to handle explosive material like firecrackers, all the seized material would go to Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) lab in Faridabad.

Police will write to PESO authorities, briefing them about the total amount of crackers seized in Delhi.

Sources said that after analysing the crackers, PESO will issue an order to its warehouse in Alipur to deposit the said quantity of crackers.

"The seized firecrackers are then safely stored in wooden boxes and The boxes are transferred to Alipur to be deposited in godowns. Since firecrackers are explosives and could be dangerous, utmost precaution is taken for their safe transport," said a police officer.

The officers handling the wooden boxes containing firecrackers are briefed to take necessary precautions throughout the process, until they reach the PESO warehouse.

Headquartered at Nagpur, PESO has a network of five circle offices, 18 sub-circle offices and a central testing station. PESO handles all matters related to safety in manufacturing, storage, transport and handling of explosives, petroleum, compressed gases and other hazardous substances through comprehensive administration of the Explosives Act of 1884, Petroleum Act of 1934, Inflammable Substances Act of 1952 and rules framed there under Explosives Rules of 2008 among others.

PESO's northern regional office is based in Faridabad.

In accordance with the Supreme court guidelines, Delhi Police registered 562 cases and arrested 310 people under section 188 of IPC for illegally possessing and bursting firecrackers.

The apex court had allowed people to burst only 'green' firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali.