THRISSUR: The Central Explosive Department on Tuesday sanctioned the manufacture and conduction of the firework display for the May 5 Thrissur Pooram festival here. However, restrictions have been issued to keep it in check and avert tragedies.
Stipulations on the size and combination of items to be used during the festival will be set. Restrictions have been placed on using dynamite and potassium chloride, said district collector, A Kowsigan.
The collector had earlier said that the sample was first sent for tests at Sivakasi and later to the Central explosive department in Pune for the final approval. He said that there would be a sample trial on Wednesday, while the main fireworks display would be held on Friday.
Various teams, including petroleum and explosive safety organisation, pollution control board and other departments will monitor all the firework displays during the Thrissur Pooram.
While there were apprehensions in getting the fireworks sanction, the Paaramekkavu Temple Devaswom board was not permitted to use fireworks during flag hoisting, a ritual to announce the start of the festival.
Organisers had threatened that they would stick to simple rituals and to boycott the fanfare which attracted several millions of people.
However, the restrictive use of explosives will reduce the intensity of fireworks, in terms of noise and pollution.
As per the norms, fireworks should be kept at 125-decibel level, and also keep in view the safety of buildings adjoining the Swaraj ground, where the fireworks are conducted.
There are more possibilities that fireworks which explode few meters above the ground would be more in use.
Restrictions on fireworks were imposed in the State following the firework tragedy at Puttingal Devi temple, at Paravoor in Kollam District last April, which killed over 100 persons and left several others injured.