Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7 -- The Bhubaneswar Urban Police District (UPD) has issued 442 licences for temporary firecracker shops ahead of Diwali 2026 after completing the required verification process. The police have also intensified enforcement measures to prevent the illegal sale and use of banned, high-decibel and foreign-made firecrackers.

According to the police, Jatni accounts for the highest number of licensed shops at 121, followed by Khandagiri with 75, Balianta with 48, Chandrasekharpur with 46 and Infovalley with 42.

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Mancheswar has received 27 licences, Badagada 20, Nayapalli 18, Pahal 10, Tamando nine, Airfield and Dhauli eight each, Nandan...