Sivakasi, the most industrialised region of Virudhunagar district, got the moniker of Kutti Japan. Besides being the hub for fireworks industry, it has hundreds of printing and match units that keeps the skilled and unskilled labourers engaged, in the otherwise arid region.

However, all is not well with the fireworks industry that is facing lot of uncertainties over the few years.

The Muthalipatti fire accident in 2012 brought in focus the need to streamline the safety measures in the labour-intensive industry.

Major decision was taken making Sivakasi Sub-Circle office of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) exclusive for licensing and monitoring the 1,000-odd fireworks units in and around Sivakasi.

However, the post of Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives remains vacant for the past several years.

Amidst industry’s existential issues like ban on barium nitrate and joined crackers, the delegated licensing powers by PESO headquarters to its Sivakasi office, has been taken back to the PESO headquarters in Nagpur, complains president of Indian Fireworks Association, J. Tamilselvan.

“The licence of at least around 100 fireworks units has remains suspended for several months due to lack of easy access to officials of PESO in far-off Nagpur office,” he complained.

Sitting MLA, G. Ashokan, who is seeking a re-election for second time assures that he would get an exemption to fireworks from provisions of Environmental Protection Act that defines the maximum permissible limits for environmental pollutants. “We got exemption for jallikattu in the past. Similarly, we will get this too. Even the US and European countries exempt fireworks from environmental pollution on major festival days,” he said.

Similar action would be taken to lift ban on barium nitrate and chorsa, he added.

Basic amenities in Sivakasi Corporation like water and road are inadequate. Even the ruling party councillors have been complaining about the functioning of the city administration.

Two-time AIADMK MLA from Sivakasi, K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, who had contested from Rajapalayam Assembly constituency in 2021, is now again contesting from Sivakasi.

“Most of the development works Sivakasi has seen were only during the AIADMK regime or planned by the AIADMK Government,” Mr. Bhalaji, the former State Minister said.

He recalled that the RTO office, Government Arts and Science College, renovated bus stand at Sivakasi, new bus stand at Tiruthangal, new Sivakasi educational district and burns treatment ward in Sivakasi Government hospital were brought by him.

“We laid black-topped road to each and every fireworks unit in Sivakasi,” he added.

Though the Congress MLA, Ashokan, takes credit for the construction of road over bridge at Satchiyapuram and under construction ROB at Tiruthangal and the Ring Road, Mr. Bhalaji claimed that all these projects were sanctioned during the AIADMK period. “Even funds for land acquisition for Ring Road was allotted during AIADMK regime. But, the DMK Government has only delayed the execution of these works,” he said.

The Satchiyapuram ROB has eased traffic congestion considerably as closing of railway gate used to bring road traffic to a grinding halt, especially during the peak hours.

Mr. Ashokan also pointed to the under-construction four-laning of Virudhunagar-Sivakasi highway. This will bring Sivakasi under the four-way map connecting with Chennai and Bengaluru.

While Mr. Bhalaji has promised to bring Law College to the city, both the candidates have promised to bring underground drainage for the city.

An intense battle is expected between the candidates of AIADMK and Congress as Mr. Bhalaji is striving hard for a comeback in Sivakasi, while Mr. Ashokan attempts to retain the seat.

The alliances of both parties are working hard to snatch victory in Sivakasi.

Meanwhile, two women candidates, A. Esther Mary Diana of Naam Tamilar Katchi and S. Keerthana of TVK are leaving no stones unturned in garnering public support. Other candidates are M. Ganesan of AIPTMMK and Suresh of BSP.