After Kollam tragedy, Thrissur Pooram fireworks to go on, but with new rules

A special squad would be deployed to ensure safety of the spectators assembling to watch the fireworks
After Kollam tragedy, Thrissur Pooram fireworks to go on, but with new rules
After Kollam tragedy, Thrissur Pooram fireworks to go on, but with new rules
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With the Kollam temple tragedy bringing to focus safety issues, the Thrissur district administration on Monday imposed regulations including use of low decibel crackers as it decided to give sanction for use of 4,000 kg of fireworks for the April 17 finale of iconic Pooram festival in Kerala.

A day after the worst-ever fireworks tragedy in the state claimed 109 lives, the administration decided to give sanction to two temple boards, who are major players in the Pooram festival, to use a total of 4,000 kg low decibel fire crackers, a top official said.

"The district administration has decided to give sanction to hold Thrissur Pooram fireworks. Sanction will be given after completing all official formalities necessary for such events," the official told PTI.

The safety measures proposed include use of low decibel crackers, keeping a 'huge distance' between the fireworks arena and spectators, and putting barricades besides more security at the famous Vadakkumnatha temple ground, the venue.

Administration sources said the famous Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms had already got sanction from the Deputy Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), to keep and use 2,000 kgs each of crackers and pyrotechnic materials for the fireworks show for the festival till 2018.

Earlier, District Collector V Ratheesan chaired a meeting of all stakeholders including office-bearers of the temple boards and police in the district to take stock of the situation in view of the Kollam tragedy which also left 383 people injured.

The shocking accident has led to demands for a ban on fireworks shows in temples.

Ratheesan told reporters that last year both Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms were allowed to use 2000 kgs each for the fireworks, which is a major attraction in the week-long Pooram festival which got off to a start on Monday.

He said a special squad would be deployed to ensure safety of the spectators assembling in this temple town to watch the fireworks.

"There will be a huge distance between the display area and spectators gallery. Necessary barricades will be put in place to keep the distance. Strict instructions have been issued to use only low decibel fire crackers. Instead of high decibel fire crackers, crackers having more colours will be an attraction," the Collector said.

Ratheesan said use of a low decibel firecrackers with a reasonable distance will make sure the ancient Vadakkumnatha temple structures were not affected due to the fireworks.

He said more police force will be deployed to ensure safety of people attending the fireworks.

The grand finale to the week-long Pooram festival in Thrissur is marked by display of fireworks. This year's Pooram festival will culminate on April 17.

The Thrissur Pooram Co-ordination Committee, which is formed to conduct the Pooram in a befitting manner, has said the traditional sample fireworks would be displayed at the maidan of the Vadakunnathan Temple on April 15.

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