Uncertainty over Thrissur Pooram fireworks lingers

THRISSUR: The holding of Thrissur Pooram fireworks this year is mired in uncertainty with the district administration keen on enforcing the circular of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) that categorizes amittu, gundu, kuzhiminnal and dynamite as unauthorized. Even though Collector A. Kowsigan held a meeting with the Festival Co-ordination Committee on February 17 and decided to conduct the jumbo procession and fireworks by upholding the tradition of pooram, he has made it clear that there would not be any relaxation of Explosives Rules 2008 and PESO circulars.

“The safety rules which were hitherto relaxed or overlooked have to be followed strictly after the Puttingal fireworks tragedy last year. In the case of  Thrissur Pooram, as both Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms have underground magazines which can store 2,000 kilograms of gunpowder each, there would not be a problem of storing fireworks as long as it is manufaactured in different phases by using 15kg of gunpowder at a time by a licencee. But, there is no provision at present to relax the PESO norm which has termed amittu, gundu, kuzhiminnal and dynamite as unauthorised,” Collector said.

He said that even though the festival organizers of other poorams in the distrct had been conducting fireworks for several decades now, other than the Thrissur Pooram Festival organizers, none had a certified magazine and hence the administration could not gave permission for fireworks using more than 10 or 15 kgs of gunpowder. “That is because we do not know where the festival organizers, who do not have magazines, will keep the fireworks, if sanction is given to them,” Collector said.

With the district administration standing its ground, Thrissur Pooram organizers will have to move the High Court, like in the previous years, seeking special relaxation of norms for fireworks prior to the pooram to be held on May 5. In previous years, the court had given permission to hold the pooram fest in the traditional way. “But, PESO circulars regarding safety cannot be sidelined even if such a court order is obtained,” the Collector emphasised.

Speaking to DC, functionary of the Festival Co-ordination Committee  P Sasikumar said that his organization was  of the view that until the union government decided over issues raised by the festival organizers, the district administration should give permission for fireworks by relaxing the norms. “Otherwise all the major festival in Thrissur including Thrissur Pooram can’t be conducted on a grand scale as in the previous years,” he said.