THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fireworks accident in Neeleswaram Anjutambalam Veerarkav temple in Kasargod happened days after an amendment to the nationwide firecracker regulations was issued. An amendment to the rules under the Explosives Act issued by the central government on October 11 would have affected the use of firecrackers in temples in the state, including Thrissur Pooram. The state had also written a letter to the Centre expressing concern over this.

In the letter sent by the state government, it has been clarified that the new decision of the central government will do away with fireworks in places of worship including Thrissur Pooram. The main amendment is that fireworks should be set off at a distance of 200 meters from the fireworks display. According to this, the main attraction of the Pooram, the fireworks, will not be held even in the Swaraj round. It was also stated in the letter that the order issued by the Center regarding the display of fireworks can only be seen as a move to destroy Poorams.

The accident happened days after the amendment came into force. As several people were injured in the accident, the regulations under the new amendment are likely to be tightened. A total of 154 people were injured in the fireworks accident. The condition of eight people remains critical. The fireworks accident that shook the nation happened last midnight.

The central government had issued a notification with 35 amendments in the fireworks regulations. The notification was issued in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the commission that investigated the 2016 Puttingal disaster in Kollam. The main restriction in the notification is that there should be a distance of 200 meters between the place where firecrackers are fired and the place where firecrackers are stored. Now the distance is 45 meters. Every member of the pooram committee asked to reduce this. However, this has been increased to 200 meters. Another important condition in the notification is that the people should be barricaded and kept at a distance of 100 meters from the barricade at the place of fireworks.

Let's examine other conditions
1. Fireworks should not be conducted if loses control over people in the vicinity.
2. If the wind speed is more than 50 km, do not set off fireworks under any circumstances.
3. Half of the iron pipes used for fireworks should be underground.
4. In case of pipes of different sizes, distance should be 10 meters.
5. Fireworks should not be conducted without permission if hospital, nursing home and school are within 250 meters.
6. No steel tools, iron objects or weapons should be in the fireworks area.
7. 50 cm distance is required between the iron pipes.