DDMA Directs Local Authorities to Ensure Safety at Onam Festive Rides

Quick Summary:

• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Actions: DDMA will instruct local bodies to enforce safety protocols at makeshift amusement parks set up for Onam celebrations.
• Incident Details: A 33-year-old man was injured after falling off a ‘pirate ship’ ride during Athachamayam festivities in Thripunithura on September 1, organized by a Palakkad-based event company.
• Safety Measures Taken: Following the incident, additional safety measures were implemented, including the installation of seat belts and removal of single seats on both ends of the ride. Operations resumed post inspection by municipal engineering officials.
• Concerns Raised:

– Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar highlighted a lack of technical expertise among officials issuing permits for amusement rides.
– Thripunithura municipal chairperson rema Santhosh affirmed that necessary permissions and reviews were completed prior to the event.

• Injured Victim Status: The injured man is recovering at a hospital and has been moved out of intensive care.

Indian Opinion analysis:

The DDMA’s intervention underscores the importance of stringent oversight in temporary amusement park operations during large cultural festivals like Onam. While additional safety protocols have now been installed post-accident, questions remain about systemic gaps in preemptive oversight-including technical expertise among permitting authorities-as highlighted by Kochi’s mayor. This incident signals an urgent need for mechanism upgrades wherein local governments not onyl assess operational compliance but also consult technical experts to ensure foolproof safety standards.As cultural events involving such facilities grow more prominent nationwide, proactive standardized regulations tailored explicitly toward temporary setups may help mitigate risks while preserving public trust in festival activities. Local bodies must balance enthusiasm surrounding celebrations with an uncompromising commitment to public safety.

Read more: published – September 02, 2025