Alappuzha tightens screw on firework display at festivals

ALAPPUZHA: The district administration has tightened the screw on firework display using explosives. District collector T.V. Anupama directed festival organisers planning fireworks to take permission from the district magistrate.

“As per the Explosives Act- 2008, they should obtain permission two months before the event. There's a fixed form for applying. The magistrate will examine them and take necessary steps.

“The magistrate is duty-bound to verify the application one month before the programme. As per the act, potassium chlorate or other banned chemical should not be used for making crackers or other explosives," the order says.

“A storage license is essential for keeping explosives on the premises of festivals. The deputy chief controller of explosives in Ernakulam will issue permits.

"The act has also stipulated the materials should be kept 100 m away from the public and 250 m away from schools and hospitals. A barricade should be constructed in the radius of 100 m. An emergency plan should be drawn for managing an emergency, and only experienced persons should be allowed to handle them.”

The collector had the other day rejected an application for fireworks at Kanichukulangara temple as its authorities failed to follow norms.