PMC urges Ganapati mandals to avoid obtaining power supply at pandals illegally

Pune: Preparations for Ganeshotsav have gained momentum in the city, with the civic administration appealing to Ganapati mandals to obtain authorised power connections and refrain from drawing electricity from poles or streetlight posts. Such practices could lead to mishaps and pose a danger to citizens, the administration said.More than 3,500 mandals celebrate the festival by erecting pandals at public places and open spaces.Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has urged mandals not to dig roads at locations where underground power cables have already been laid, warning that unplanned digging could damage power and other utility cables.The mandals have also been advised to conduct a detailed survey of the area before digging roads for the erection of pandals. The power utility has made provisions for temporary electricity connections to the pandals, and all mandals have been told to obtain authorised connections by completing the necessary procedures.“It has been observed that mandals, while erecting pandals, fail to maintain adequate distance between the structures and street poles. Junction boxes and feeders are sometimes used to draw power or as support for pandal structures. Such practices could result in damage and accidents. Mandals should not use street poles, junction boxes or cables as supports for erecting pandals or decorations,” an official from the PMC’s electrical department said.The administration has also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any misuse of pandal-related infrastructure for personal purposes. The civic body plans to set up a help desk to address issues related to power supply. Mandals can raise complaints through the help desk in case of delays in obtaining temporary power connections.