Uncertainty over Pooram fireworks as norms yet to be eased

Explosives Amendment Act 2024 brought in by Union govt imposed severe restrictions on fireworks display | The festival is scheduled to be held on May 6

- GOPIKA VARRIER @Thrissur

WITH only a month left for Thrissur Pooram, uncertainty over fireworks display remains unaddressed as devaswoms are waiting for a favourable response from Central government and PESO officials.

Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu devaswoms had held discussions with PESO officials twice to ease the restrictions.

The devaswom officials had also met Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.

The Explosives Amendment Act 2024 brought in by the central government, had imposed severe restrictions on fireworks display.

The provisions in the new Act have been posing issues for the devaswoms.

Through the Explosives Amendment Act 2024, the Central government made it mandatory to maintain at least 100 m distance between the fire line and the explosives magazine.

In Thekkinkadu Maidan, the current distance between fire line and magazine is 45 m only.

There is also another provision in the notification to maintain 100 m distance between spectators and fire line.