Authorities of Thrissur Pooram has finally received approval for the grand display of fireworks to be held in temple ground on April 25 and 26. The Chief Controller of Explosives informed the District Collector of the approval after the nod from PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation). The Kerala Police have also imposed restrictions on people viewing Thrissur Pooram fireworks from close vicinity for the first time. Earlier people were allowed to watch the fireworks from the finishing line, but now viewers are advised to restrict to 100 m from the display.

Kerala DGP Loknath Behera also asserted that viewers should maintain distance while watching the fireworks. The police have informed Devasom Board that director general of police (DGP) about the order considering the safety of the people. They also said that the order would not be revoked.

Fireworks that can be used in Thrissur Pooram include palm-leaf crackers, gundu, amittu, and kuzhiminnal in specified sizes. While worries over the conduct of fireworks still continue, the ministers from Thrissur have assured the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswoms (temple board authorities) that there would not be any problem in conducting fireworks.

While the police are taking all precautions to thwart any unfortunate incident, an earlier decision to empty oil from petrol pumps in the vicinity is still pending.

Police are putting strict safety measures into force after an array of fireworks tragedy in Kerala during the temple festival. The worst one was at Puttingal Devi Temple in Kollam district on April 10, 2016, in which 114 people died and over 700 were left injured. A spark from the display of fireworks ignited a firework storeroom in the temple complex leading to a major fire. Multiple such incidents have resulted in the death of hundreds of people over the years in Kerala.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2018 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).