Fort Kochi Ready for New Year Celebrations; Pappanji Burning at Midnight

Mattancherry: Fort Kochi is fully prepared to welcome the New Year, with final arrangements completed for the much-awaited celebrations. Preparations at the main venues — the Parade Ground, the principal venue of the Cochin Carnival, and the Veli Ground — are in place. Burning the Pappanji, one of the most significant events of Kochi’s Christmas and New Year festivities, is expected to draw large crowds, as it does every year.

A giant Pappanji, standing over 50 feet tall, has been erected at the Fort Kochi Parade Ground under the leadership of the Cochin Carnival Committee. The structure has been designed by S. M. Anilkumar of Vyttila. Alongside the main Pappanji, hundreds of smaller ones have been installed along the roads by various clubs. The traditional burning of the Pappanji will take place at midnight to mark the arrival of the New Year.

The district administration has put in place elaborate security and logistical arrangements by coordinating multiple departments, including the Kochi Corporation, Fire and Rescue Services, Health Department, KSRTC, private bus operators, Public Works Department, KSEB, the Kerala Water Authority, the Regional Transport Office and Water Metro authorities.

Officials estimate that around three lakh people will arrive in the Fort Kochi area tonight to take part in the celebrations. To ensure smooth conduct, around 1,200 police personnel will be deployed, including 13 officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and 28 inspectors.

Visitors have been urged to follow safety guidelines and cooperate with the police. Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya has announced that flying drones without prior permission will be strictly prohibited during the carnival.

Parking will be banned in and around the Parade Ground and Veli Ground, and vehicles will not be allowed to enter these areas after 2 pm on Wednesday. From Vypin, vehicles will be permitted to reach Fort Kochi via the Ro-Ro ferry only until 4 pm, while passengers will be allowed until 7 pm. After that, the Ro-Ro service will operate only for return journeys from Fort Kochi.

Special bus services have been arranged from Vypin and Fort Kochi to various parts of the city, with buses from Cochin College operating until 3 am. Metro Rail services will run until 2 am, while Water Metro services will continue until 4 am. Bio-toilet facilities and medical services have also been arranged at the venues to ensure public safety and convenience.