Ranchi power maintenance has been intensified across several parts of the city ahead of Durga Puja, with Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) deploying teams to reduce faults and prepare the distribution network for higher festive demand.
Maintenance work is under way in Namkum, Dhurwa, Morabadi, Kokar, Doranda, Lalpur and Upper Bazar. The exercise includes covering bare wires, tightening loose cables, removing tangled wires, inspecting and repairing transformers and feeder systems, fixing pole connectivity and carrying out cabling work, officials said.
JBVNL general manager Manmohan Kumar said the work was part of the utility’s routine pre-Puja exercise but had been delayed by rain. The maintenance programme has been allotted the period from October 1 to 13, according to Gaurav Kumar, electrical executive engineer, Kokar.
“Bare wires will be covered, loose cables tightened and pole connectivity fixed,” Gaurav Kumar said, outlining the work planned during the maintenance window. The measures are intended to address possible faults before festival activity and crowd movement increase across the city.
The utility is also preparing for additional electricity demand from Durga Puja pandals. Organisers seeking temporary connections can apply during the maintenance period, officials said. Temporary supplies of around 4 kilowatts to 10 kilowatts will be provided depending on the load requirement, Gaurav Kumar said.
The distribution work has also resulted in power cuts in some areas. The interruptions are affecting businesses during a period when customer activity is increasing. Deepak Jaiswal, a trader based in Lalpur, said customers had started arriving in larger numbers ahead of the festive season, but power outages were affecting his work.
The maintenance is being carried out in phases as JBVNL works to stabilise Ranchi’s distribution network before festival crowds peak. The utility’s stated focus is on reducing faults linked to exposed wires, loose connections, transformers, feeders and pole infrastructure while accommodating temporary connections for public celebrations.
For residents and businesses, the immediate impact is a trade-off between preventive maintenance and short-term supply interruptions. The final extent of the work and its effect on reliability will depend on the phased completion of repairs across the identified areas. JBVNL’s maintenance programme is scheduled to continue through October 13.