Comprehensive security and safety protocols rolled out for 63rd Kerala State School Arts Festival

Elaborate security measures in place for the 63rd Kerala State School Arts Festival to ensure safety and smooth operation.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the 63rd Kerala State School Arts Festival that will begin on Saturday.

With an estimated 15,000 students, teachers and other attendees expected to converge on the State capital over the next few days, the Thiruvananthapuram city has come under an intensive security blanket to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.

In preparation for the festival, thorough safety audits have been conducted at each of the 25 venues. The District Disaster Management Authority, Public Works department and other agencies have carefully assessed the structural integrity of stages and facilities, with particular attention to potential hazards. The precautionary measures have gained added importance following the recent incident involving Thrikkakkara MLAs Uma Thomas, who tragically fell from a makeshift stage during a recent event at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi.

To address such concerns, the stages, especially at the Central Stadium, the main venue, have been designed with layered structures, intended to reduce the risk of accidents due to missteps.

In addition, the Fire and Rescue Services have implemented fire safety protocols across all event venues and accommodation facilities for participants. These measures are designed to ensure that safety standards are rigorously maintained throughout the festival.

Security in the city will be bolstered by the deployment of approximately 860 police personnel, including specialised units such as Pink Police, Shadow Police, and striking force teams. To further support law enforcement efforts, around 2,500 students from various organisations, including the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Student Police Cadets, Scouts and Guides and Junior Red Cross, will assist in a variety of roles such as crowd management and green protocol enforcement.

A robust surveillance network has been set up at each venue, with control rooms and outposts established across the city to ensure real-time monitoring of activities. These measures aim at guaranteeing not only the safety of participants but also the smooth and orderly conduct of the event.