"They said that they have already erected the tents and will use tin sheets from next year," he said. District fire officer C Manoharan said that they had issued notice to the festival organisers one week ago. However, officials maintained that the organisers were warned about the structures and they were given notice. "We have alerted the municipal council about the potential dangers but the organisers have erected these structures on highways land," he stated. "The previous collector was strict with the organisers with the arrangements and insisted on tin roof structures, but the present administration seems disinterested," commented K Jayakumar, municipal councillor of Virudhunagar town.
Locals recall that the previous collector, M Balaji, insisted on erecting tin tents. Last year district administration played an active role in making arrangements for the festival. In case of any untoward incident, many will die in the ensuing stampede itself," Pandiarajan rued. They have blocked the roads and the town will be cramped on the festival days. "The festival is organised by private parties and they tend to violate every norm in the book. A spark can create havoc because the summer heat is intense this year," said A P R Pandiarajan, a resident of the town. Fire pots are carried in procession and cooking is done in the open. "We are apprehensive as we know how the festival is celebrated at Mariamman temple. The biggest tent, covering 4,500 sq ft has come up at Desapandhu Grounds near the temple. Three 350-square feet tents have been raised at Virudhunagar Teppam West and East and near Ariviyalmandram.
Four huge thatched tents have been erected by the festival organisers. The danger enhances as the summer festival involves procession in which fire pots are carried by the faithful and open cooking is held to offer 'Pongal'. Locals have already expressed about the fire risk posed by thatched tents erected for the festival. While the temple authorities are making efforts to make the event a success, they have overlooked a potential threat, rather danger, which is lurking on the festival grounds. VIRUDHUNAGAR: Mariamman temple festival scheduled for April 7 and 8 at Virudhunagar town will be celebrated with gusto by about two-lakh people who are expected to congregate here in a few days.