Pooram fireworks to go by the rules

Thrissur: The district collector on Monday gave the nod for the fireworks of Thrissur Pooram and Pavaratty church festival under stringent conditions in view of the Paravur temple tragedy. The Pooram fireworks are scheduled to be held at 3 a.m. on April 18 and the sample fireworks at 7 p.m. on April 15. The Pavaratty fireworks will be held on April 16 and 17.

After holding an emergency meeting with the organisers of both Thiruvambadi and Pramekkavu devaswoms of the Pooram and the representative of Pavaratty church, collector V. Ratheesan said that permission would be given to use 2,000 kgs of gun powder for each devaswoms and 15 kg for the church fest.

“There may have been a practice of using gun power above the permitted limit, but it will be strictly monitored from now on,” the collector said after the meeting at the collectorate.

Referring to a writ petition submitted before the HC demanding a ban on the fireworks, he said that whatever the court orders, it would be executed. The Explosives Rules 2008 would be strictly followed and the spectators would be kept at a distance of 100 metres from the place of the fireworks. People will be allowed to watch the event only from the outer footpath of Swaraj Round and would not be allowed to enter the round.

A team of officials consisting of explosives experts, police and environmental engineers will start inspection at the firework-making units for Pooram starting
from Tuesday.

The Vadakkumnathan temple, which was given recognition as a UNESCO heritage site a few months ago, will be protected against fireworks damage. The temple is situated at the centre of Thekkinkad maidan.