Devaswoms must embrace change to ensure safe fireworks displays: former PESO expert

Devaswom authorities must be willing to embrace change to make fireworks displays safer, said R. Venugopal, former Joint Chief Controller of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

He was speaking on the science and legal framework governing fireworks at a seminar titled ‘Fireworks: Celebration and Accidents’, organised by the Science Awareness Committee of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad’s Thrissur district unit on Thursday.

He called for the adoption of modern technologies, including mechanisation and robotics, to create spectacular aerial displays similar to those seen in other countries. “Such a shift could prevent loss of human lives in fireworks manufacturing units,” he said.

Citing statistics, Dr. Venugopal pointed out that fireworks manufacturing units posed a greater risk than festival venues. The widespread violation of safety regulations was a major reason for accidents. The use of prohibited and highly sensitive chemicals such as potassium chlorate, along with failure to maintain prescribed safety distances, significantly increased the risks, he said.

“The conditions that prevailed when Thrissur Pooram was introduced during the reign of Sakthan Thampuran no longer exist. The area of the festival grounds has remained unchanged, while population density and the density of buildings around them have increased,” he said, adding that these factors had heightened the possibility of accidents.

Dr. Venugopal also called for replacing the existing rudimentary fireworks manufacturing units with scientifically designed and safer manufacturing hubs.

Such hubs should be developed on several acres of land and equipped with scientific safety facilities, including fire stations and training centres, he said.

Science Awareness Committee district chairman Dr. K.K. Abdulla presided over the seminar.

Former Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar, former Parishad State president Prof. K.R. Janardanan, and representatives of the Cochin Devaswom Board, Paramekkavu Devaswom and Thiruvambady Devaswom — K. Ravindran, G. Rajesh and K. Girish Kumar respectively, Science Awareness Committee convenor C. Balachandran, Parishad district secretary K.K. Kaseema spoke.