Kerala wants Centre to ease new fireworks rules for Thrissur Pooram

The Kerala government has opposed the Centre’s recent gazette notification imposing new restrictions on fireworks. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala revenue minister K Rajan said the new restrictions would adversely impact the iconic annual temple festival, Thrissur Pooram.
He said that the restrictions in the Centre’s new notification regarding fireworks could be seen as a move to break Thrissur Pooram.
Rajan, in the letter, expressed concern and stated that the notification has brought utter disappointment to Pooram enthusiasts, for whom fireworks are a main part of the festival.
He said the new rules would make it difficult to conduct the traditional fireworks display as they are impractical at Thekkinkadu Maidanam.
“There are 35 restrictions mentioned in the order. Among these, five main conditions can never be accepted. Firecrackers cannot be set off in Thekkinkadu Maidanam if the five restrictions are to be enforced,” he said.
Thekkinkadu Maidanam is the open ground surrounding the ancient Vadakunnathan temple. The temple hosts the annual Thrissur Pooram, while the fireworks to conclude the festival are organised in the grounds and are a major attraction for pooram enthusiasts.
“According to the order, the distance between the fire line and the point where the fireworks take place is 200 m. This distance cannot be maintained in Thekkinkadu Maidanam where Thrissur Pooram’s iconic fireworks display takes place. The order also states that a distance of 100 m should be maintained between the fire line and the people. However, there are no facilities for this in Thekkinkadu Maidanam. This distance should be reduced to 60-70 m,” he argued.
According to Rajan, the new notification mandates the distance between the temporary shed and the fire line to be 100 m, Rajan wants it to be reduced to 15 m.
“The requirement that fireworks should be set off at a distance of 250 m from hospitals, schools and nursing homes should also be changed. Schools do not function during Thrissur Pooram fireworks. So schools should be changed to schools that are working on the day,” he said.
Rajan pointed out that the requirement to obtain a no-objection certificate from the hospital and nursing home was made by “people who have no knowledge about fireworks”.