Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) has directed Durga Puja organising committees across Kolhan division to obtain valid power connections by Saptami on October 17 and complete safe wiring at their pandals, warning that violations could invite action under the Electricity Act, 2003.
The directive covers more than 400 temporary puja venues in East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan, which together fall under JBVNL’s Jamshedpur division. Around 350 of the pandals are being installed in Jamshedpur and its outskirts, making the temporary festival network a significant seasonal demand on the local distribution system.
JBVNL Jamshedpur division general manager Ajit Kumar said committees would have to pay estimated electricity charges in advance. The estimate will be based on each venue’s load consumption during last year’s festival. Any excess payment will be refunded, while committees using more electricity than estimated will be charged additionally after the celebrations.
The requirement for valid connections is intended to bring temporary festival installations within the distribution utility’s authorised supply system. Organisers have also been instructed to ensure safe wiring at the pandals. JBVNL said punitive action could be initiated under the Electricity Act if committees fail to comply with the requirements.
Temporary electrical installations at large public venues involve additional wiring, lighting and equipment loads compared with ordinary local connections. The utility’s instructions place responsibility on organising committees to arrange authorised supply and safe electrical systems before the main festival period begins. The October 17 deadline falls on Saptami, when footfall and activity at pandals are expected to increase.
To respond to supply disruptions and electrical emergencies, JBVNL will operate fuse control rooms in all seven subdivisions under its Jamshedpur division from October 16 to 21. The control rooms will cover the core festival period and the days immediately around it. The utility said their contact numbers would be released before the festivities begin.
JBVNL has also formed 35 response teams consisting of more than 150 engineers, electricians and linemen. These teams will attend to power-related emergencies at puja venues and support efforts to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply during the festival period.
The arrangements reflect the operational challenge of supplying power to hundreds of temporary public installations spread across three districts. Unlike a single permanent facility, the puja network requires the distribution utility to process temporary connections, assess expected consumption, monitor safety and maintain emergency response capacity across multiple subdivisions at the same time.
JBVNL’s immediate milestones are the October 17 deadline for valid connections and the operation of the seven fuse control rooms from October 16 to 21. The utility is expected to publish the control-room numbers before the festival begins, while final billing will account for any difference between estimated and actual consumption.
