KOLKATA: The state power department anticipates daily electricity demand to cross the 10,000 megawatt-mark during Durga Puja across Bengal as the number of pandals is likely to go up.
According to CESC’s plan for this year’s puja, 13,390 megawatt power will be allocated to pandals in Kolkata between Tritiya (October 17) and Dashami (October 24). Last year, the total allocation of power by CESC stood at 12,936 megawatt for the same period, said an official.
These announcements were made at the review meeting that Aroop Biswas, state power minister, held on Wednesday. Power Grid Corporation Limited, DVC, CESC, Farakka Thermal Power Station, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, Coal India, power department, WBPDCL, WBSEDCL and WBSETCL were among other stakeholders that discussed their puja preparedness at the meeting.
The daily allotment of power on the eight days of Durga Puja will hover between 1,960 megawatt (on Panchami) and 1,340 (on Dashami) in the city.
This year, the highest one-day electricity demand recorded by CESC was 2,606 megawatt on June 16.
The state government and power utility service providers are taking a slew of measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and avert untoward incidents during the biggest festival of Bengal. “Last year, the power department had provided electricity to 44,478 pujas in the state, while CESC supplied electricity to 5,046 pujas in the city. This time, there is likely to be a spurt in the number of pujas applying for temporary power connection,” said Biswas.
Last year, the puja pandals across the state had logged 9,861 megawatt power demand per day. The state government will offer a 66% discount to puja organisers on power bills for pandal illumination this year. The discount was 60% last year. “We are urging the puja organisers to use piped wire in pandals for safety,” said Biswas, adding the power department was carrying out repair work across the state for uninterrupted supply.
“Around 3,357 mobile vans are being pressed into the service. The deployment will be in place till Jagaddhatri Puja. Besides, 71,792 permanent and contractual staff of the power department will be working on puja days. The repair work will wind up by this month. The rate of power remains unchanged since 2016,” the minister said.
According to CESC’s plan for this year’s puja, 13,390 megawatt power will be allocated to pandals in Kolkata between Tritiya (October 17) and Dashami (October 24). Last year, the total allocation of power by CESC stood at 12,936 megawatt for the same period, said an official.
These announcements were made at the review meeting that Aroop Biswas, state power minister, held on Wednesday. Power Grid Corporation Limited, DVC, CESC, Farakka Thermal Power Station, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway, Coal India, power department, WBPDCL, WBSEDCL and WBSETCL were among other stakeholders that discussed their puja preparedness at the meeting.
The daily allotment of power on the eight days of Durga Puja will hover between 1,960 megawatt (on Panchami) and 1,340 (on Dashami) in the city.
This year, the highest one-day electricity demand recorded by CESC was 2,606 megawatt on June 16.
The state government and power utility service providers are taking a slew of measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and avert untoward incidents during the biggest festival of Bengal. “Last year, the power department had provided electricity to 44,478 pujas in the state, while CESC supplied electricity to 5,046 pujas in the city. This time, there is likely to be a spurt in the number of pujas applying for temporary power connection,” said Biswas.
Last year, the puja pandals across the state had logged 9,861 megawatt power demand per day. The state government will offer a 66% discount to puja organisers on power bills for pandal illumination this year. The discount was 60% last year. “We are urging the puja organisers to use piped wire in pandals for safety,” said Biswas, adding the power department was carrying out repair work across the state for uninterrupted supply.
“Around 3,357 mobile vans are being pressed into the service. The deployment will be in place till Jagaddhatri Puja. Besides, 71,792 permanent and contractual staff of the power department will be working on puja days. The repair work will wind up by this month. The rate of power remains unchanged since 2016,” the minister said.
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