BESCOM Issues Safety Guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Bengaluru
Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) has issued new guidelines for Ganesh Chaturthi festival organisers to ensure safety and proper electricity usage during the celebrations.
Temporary Electricity Connections
Organisers are advised to contact their local sub-divisional officers to arrange temporary electricity connections for the festival. Sub-divisional authorities have been directed to provide immediate electricity connections by the established norms, ensuring prompt coordination with local authority officials.
Importance of Safety
BESCOM Managing Director Mahantesh Bilagi emphasized the importance of safety during the festival. He stated, “While celebrating the festival, the public must also prioritise safety. BESCOM will assist with the lighting system for the Ganesh festival. It is crucial to adhere to safety measures during the installation and dismantling of the idol at public events to prevent any electrical accidents.”
Safety Measures
BESCOM has outlined several safety measures:
- Handle electrical wires with care when setting up pandals, serial lights, and other decorations.
- Ensure the wiring for serial lights is properly insulated.
- Avoid contact with electric poles when installing lights.
- Do not attach ‘shamiyanas,’ tents, or other items to electrical wires, poles, or transformer stations.
- Be cautious of overhead power lines during processions.
- Inform Sub-Divisional Officers about the procession route in advance for assistance.
- Report any live wires or electrical sparks immediately by calling the 1912 helpline.
- Mark ‘Danger Zones’ where electrical equipment is installed for the Ganesh pandal.
Obtaining Temporary Power Connection
To obtain a temporary power connection, organisers must first secure a no objection letter from various authorities, including the BBMP, BDA, Grama Panchayat, and the local police station. Following this, an Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer will inspect the site before granting permission. Once the installation is approved, organisers need to get a wiring completion report from a registered electrical contractor. This report should confirm the safety of the wiring, installation of the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB), and Earthing Inspection and Approval (EIA). After these steps, the authorities will provide the temporary electricity connection. After the festival, the meter must be returned, and the final reading recorded once the temporary connection period ends.
Doubts Revealed
BESCOM -: BESCOM stands for Bangalore Electricity Supply Company. It is the company that provides electricity to the city of Bengaluru.
Ganesh Chaturthi -: Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is the god of wisdom and prosperity. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in many parts of India, including Bengaluru.
Guidelines -: Guidelines are a set of rules or instructions that people need to follow. In this case, BESCOM has given rules to ensure safety during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
Sub-divisional officers -: Sub-divisional officers are officials who manage smaller parts of a larger area. Here, they help festival organisers get temporary electricity connections.
Temporary electricity connections -: Temporary electricity connections are short-term power supplies given for special events like festivals. They are not permanent and are used only for a limited time.
Managing Director -: A Managing Director is the person who is in charge of running a company. In this case, Mahantesh Bilagi is the Managing Director of BESCOM.
Insulation -: Insulation is a material that prevents electricity from passing through it. It is used to cover wires to keep people safe from electric shocks.
No objection letter -: A no objection letter is a document that says there are no problems with doing something. Festival organisers need this letter to show that it is safe to get a temporary power connection.
Safety inspections -: Safety inspections are checks done to make sure everything is safe. For the festival, organisers need to pass these checks before they can get electricity.
