T’puram: Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has urged the state govt to ban the use of gunpowder-based firework celebrations in view of the Mundathikode fire tragedy, which has claimed 15 lives so far.The explosion is deeply distressing. This is not the first time such fireworks accidents have occurred in Kerala. It has only been 10 years since the Puttingal fireworks disaster, which claimed over 110 lives and injured around 300 people, has happened. We continue to witness fireworks accidents before and after the Puttingal disaster. They are not due to a lack of laws or safety standards, KSSP said in a statement on Thursday.“The primary reason for the increase in such incidents is the non-compliance with laws and the compromises made under pressure. Licence from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is required for manufacturing, storing and transporting explosives. The Explosives Act of 1884 and the Explosives Rules of 2008 are in place concerning compliance with safety standards.Sudden loud noises at high decibels can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss and severe health issues in heart patients, the elderly and pregnant women, which is why noise limits are set for fireworks. Additionally, under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, fireworks that produce noise are prohibited between 10pm and 6am. There are also regulations regarding the safe distance between spectators and the fireworks site, determined based on the amount of explosives used and the location. In Kerala, permission from police, fire and rescue as well as revenue departments is mandatory. However, these laws, rules, procedures and safety standards often remain on paper and are routinely violated, the statement said.“Each accident results in the loss of many lives, including poor workers and spectators. Even without accidents, many people fall ill during large fireworks displays. Pollution also creates various problems for other living beings. It is not enough to mourn, express condolences and appoint inquiry commissions after accidents occur; effective ways to prevent them must be sought. This is a time when alternatives can be found with the help of modern science and technology to create visual spectacles. Such possibilities should be explored,” the statement said.Banning fireworks using gunpowder for all types of festivals and celebrations is crucial for public safety and therefore the govt should immediately ban all gunpowder-based fireworks celebrations by law.
