Thrissur Pooram Fireworks to Go Ahead Grandly with Full Legal Clearance, Assure Ministers

Thrissur: The iconic Thrissur Pooram fireworks will be held in a grand manner this year without any compromise on safety, affirmed Kerala Revenue and Housing Minister K. Rajan and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu. Addressing a press conference at the Collectorate Conference Hall on Tuesday, the ministers confirmed that there is no difficulty in conducting the fireworks as usual, and all necessary legal clearances have been obtained.
The assurance comes amidst public concerns over the impact of new central regulations issued by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), which mandate a 200-metre distance between the firecracker storage and the firing zone. However, the ministers clarified that recent legal advice from the Advocate General has confirmed that there are no legal hurdles to proceed. They also stated that the earlier High Court approval for fireworks during the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu vela celebrations is applicable to the main Pooram as well.
"The fireworks will be conducted in full compliance with PESO guidelines, while preserving the grandeur and spirit of Pooram," said Minister Rajan. "Legal consultations have been held, and all required procedures are in place to ensure strict adherence to the law."
Minister Bindu added that the district administration is taking every possible step to ensure that the public can enjoy the event smoothly and without inconvenience. "The fireworks will be conducted in a manner that upholds the law while honoring the sentiments of the people," she said.

The District Collector will grant permission for the event by exercising the powers of the Chief Controller, and both Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms have agreed to vacate the firecracker storage sheds in Thekkinkadu Maidan, in accordance with the safety norms.
Despite earlier uncertainty due to central regulations — which also stipulate that spectators must stand at least 100 metres from the firing site and that no schools or petrol pumps be within 250 metres — state authorities have worked proactively to find solutions. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also written to Union Minister Piyush Goyal seeking timely intervention.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi, under whose ministry PESO operates, had earlier promised to hold discussions with Goyal on April 9, but the meeting did not materialize, leaving the matter unresolved at the central level. Nevertheless, the state government moved swiftly to obtain legal clarity and ensure that the event could proceed without disruption.
The Pooram flag hoisting (kodiyettam) will take place on April 30. A sample fireworks display is scheduled for May 4, with the main Thrissur Pooram to be celebrated on May 6. The grand finale fireworks display will light up the skies in the early hours of May 7.