Safety at Thrissur Pooram: QR code bands for kids, mini control rooms and more

The police force in the district would leave no stone unturned to ensure foolproof security for the Pooram festivities as well as the public. A safety trial run led by City Police Commissioner Ankit Asokan was conducted to explain how to control the crowd by tying the rope during the ‘kudamattam’ ritual and the way to let the people in by untying the rope, to the police personnel. Meanwhile, the police officers who are assigned duties at the ‘thekkegopuranada’ where the 'thekkottirakkam' ritual is conducted and at the Pooram control room took part in the trial run that lasted for around two hours.

Strict safety measures are likely to be adopted to ensure that the crowd is at least six metres away from the elephants. The barricades that were seen at many spots in the city, before the sample vedikettu (fireworks display) were an indicator of the meticulous security measures that had been planned. Pillars have been installed on both sides in order to tie ropes from the 'thekkegopuranada' until Swaraj Round. Last year, the authorities of both the Dewaswoms and the police personnel were at each other’s throats due to laxities in security measures. Besides, for the first time in the history of the iconic festival, police resorted to lathi charges to control the crowds.

QR Code bands will ensure the safety of children
Leading telecom company Vi (Vodafone – Idea) has joined hands with the Kerala police to launch QR code bands to ensure the safety of children who reach the Pooram venue. Children getting separated from their parents and the police personnel running around to find them have been a common sight at crowded festival venues. Parents could bring their children to the Vi stall at the venue and register the kids' names to receive the QR code bands that could be worn on their wrists. The police could then scan the code to send alerts to the parent’s mobile phones. Besides, Vi has also launched the helpline number 8086100100 in association with the police force.

Crowd control
This year, the crowd is likely to get separated into various zones at the time of 'kudamattam.' Barricades are being arranged for this. The security measures would be made strict as the forest department has instructed to prevent the crowds from getting closer to the elephants.

Mini control rooms
The police would open mini-control rooms at the Pooram venue to ensure the safety of the public. Besides the main control room in front of the Thekkegopuranada, mini control rooms would be opened at Naduvilal Junction, Bini Junction, near Alukkas Jewellery and at Jaya Bakery Junction. A team of police officers led by a Sub–Inspector would be in charge of these mini-control rooms. This would make communication with the main Pooram control room easier.

Beverage outlets will not function on April 19
District collector VR Krishna Teja has ordered to shut all the beverage outlets and alcohol-selling shops within the boundary of Thrissur corporation from 2 am on April 19 to 2 pm on April 20 (36 hours). The alcohol ban order that was earlier in place in the Thrissur taluk has been amended to issue the latest order. Toddy shops, beer and wine parlours and bars have been ordered to shut down. Besides, the collector has also banned the sale of alcohol and other intoxicating items.