Court allows low-decibel fireworks in Kerala fest

The Kerala high court on Thursday allowed low-decibel fireworks displays in the night during the ongoing Pooram festival in Thrissur, exempting it from the ban imposed in the wake of the Kollam Puttingal temple tragedy on Sunday that claimed 113 lives.

No unauthorised chemicals should be used in the fireworks and the sound level should not exceed 125 decibels, a division bench said in the order.

The bench was hearing a plea by the private Para-mekkavu and Thirvambadi Devaswoms, which fu-nd the annual Pooram festival on the premises of the famous Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, for permission to hold a fireworks display. The festival will culminate on April 18.