Bihar Ensures 24/7 Power Monitoring for Diwali and Chhath Festivities

Patna: In preparation for the Diwali and Chhath festivals, Bihar's energy department has heightened its vigilance to guarantee a smooth electricity supply. The power system will undergo round-the-clock monitoring during the festivities, with significant safety measures at the state's 10,599 Chhath ghats.

To manage power supply at 91 key Chhath ghats in Patna, the department has deployed 997 officials and technical staff. A review meeting was held on Saturday at the Electricity Building in Patna, attended by senior officials from South Bihar Power Distribution Company and North Bihar Power Distribution Company, alongside field-level electrical supervision and executive engineers. The meeting outlined directives to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the festivals, improve safety at the ghats, and expedite the resolution of power-related concerns.

To address the rising demand for electricity during the festive season, the department analyzed power consumption data from 2023, 2024, and 2025 to estimate this year's anticipated demand. Control rooms will be operational 24/7 from headquarters to regional levels, ready to respond swiftly to any service disruptions.

Special Inspection of Power Infrastructure at Ghats

In view of devotees' safety, rigorous inspections of power lines, poles, and transformers along the ghats and access routes are underway. Aging wires are being replaced, and where necessary, uncovered 11 kV wires are being swapped for covered conductors. Additionally, iron poles along the ghats and pathways are being secured, and efforts are ongoing to replace bare low-tension wires with aerial bundled cables. Fencing around distribution transformers positioned near the ghats has been completed, and extra transformers and necessary materials have been procured for quick replacement in case of outages or failures.

Temporary fuse call teams will also be stationed at the ghats to promptly address any electricity complaints.

Deployment of Staff Across Patna's Chhath Ghats

In the Patna Electric Supply Area (PESU), 14 temporary control rooms have been established to manage power at 23 main and 68 additional Chhath ghats. A total of 152 officials and 845 technical staff members have been assigned to these locations. To facilitate better communication, staff from the Patna and Deo (Aurangabad) regions have been equipped with mobile phones and walkie-talkies. Duty personnel have also received retro-reflective jackets, blue jackets, and safety kits.

Comprehensive Preparation for 10,599 Chhath Ghats

According to the energy department, a total of 948 main and 2,381 additional Chhath ghats have been identified within the jurisdiction of South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited. Meanwhile, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited has recognized 457 main and 6,813 other ghats. Overall, preparations are underway for 1,405 main and 9,194 additional ghats, totaling 10,599 locations across both companies.

Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar, also known as Bulo Mandal, extended festive greetings to the residents of Bihar, affirming that ensuring uninterrupted power supply to every household during the festivals is a top government priority. He instructed the energy department to put in place special arrangements for secure power delivery at Chhath ghats to ensure a safe experience for devotees.

Ajay Yadav, Secretary of Energy and Chairman-Managing Director of Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL), also urged officials and engineers to remain alert during the festive season. He stressed the importance of safety inspections for wires, poles, and transformers and emphasized the importance of immediate action to address any complaints. Continuous monitoring of the power supply will be conducted.

Contact Numbers for Power-Related Complaints

To facilitate prompt resolution of electricity-related issues, 24/7 control rooms have been established at both headquarters and divisional levels. Consumers can reach out via the following numbers: *South Bihar: 7369000839, 7763814337 *North Bihar: 7763818425, 7763818426 *Toll-Free Helpline: 1912. A special control room has also been set up at the State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) at the headquarters. The department has instructed all officials and staff to remain vigilant and to act immediately upon receiving any complaints.