District gears up for another flawless Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur Pooram preparations gathered momentum as District Collector Shikha Surendran on Wednesday chaired a crucial review meeting to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival this year.

The district-level meeting followed a high-level assessment led by the Chief Secretary, with officials directed to put in place comprehensive arrangements well ahead of the celebrations. The Collector stressed that seamless coordination among all departments would be essential to conduct the festival without lapses—from the ceremonial flag hoisting on April 20 to the formal conclusion on April 27.

Emphasising public safety and efficient management, the Collector instructed that 24-hour control rooms be set up in the city, involving the police, Health department, Fire and Rescue Services, and disaster management authorities. Adequate security measures, including barricading and structural safety checks of pandals and nearby buildings, were also prioritised.

Special focus was placed on ensuring basic amenities for both officials and visitors. Drinking water, food arrangements for duty personnel, ambulance services, and medical teams will be deployed across key locations. Facilities such as e-toilets and public drinking water points will be arranged for the large number of festival-goers expected to attend.

In view of the traditional elephant processions, directions were issued to maintain and water the designated routes at regular intervals, while strict fitness checks for elephants would be enforced. Authorities were also asked to submit advance lists of volunteers involved in fireworks-related activities to enhance safety oversight.

Security arrangements will be tightened at Thekkinkadu Maidan and along major procession routes, ensuring crowd control during the grand festivities.

The meeting, held at the Collectorate Executive Conference Hall, was attended by City Police Commissioner Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh, Additional District Magistrate R. Manoj, Cochin Devaswom Board representatives, and senior officials from various departments.