The weight of a several decades-old unbroken tradition apparently prompted the Puttingal temple management to press on with the competitive firework display despite it not having a valid licence to do so.
Mindful of local customs, the police had allowed traditional fireworks to propitiate the deity. The district administration demurred and “belatedly” issued an order to stop the show. However, its decision remained un-enforced in the field.
In his inquiry report, A. K. Yadav, JCF, PESO said that the management had conducted a competitive pyrotechnic show instead of the traditional one that required the firing tubes to be loaded only once. It also ignored a last minute police warning to stop. In its application for pyrotechnic licence, the management grossly understated the quantity of explosives they planned to use. The site plan did indicate the locations of the display and storage area. The minimum 100 m distance between display area and spectators was not marked in the plan or enforced on the ground.
There was undue haste in firing pyrotechnic devices, mostly rockets, in short time. Crowd control was absent and there was also no emergency disaster management plan in place.
The temple management had finalised all preparations for the display and unloaded truckloads of explosives even though it had no licence. Dr. Yadav recommended that the grant or refusal of firework display be decided at least a month before the proposed event. Authorities should inspect the premises beforehand.
They should inspect firework making centres and ensure no potassium chlorate is used in the devices. Display site should be fenced off to prevent public access. Loading of firing tubes after the start of the display should be disallowed.
