The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) has decided to deploy 385 mobile vans in the Siliguri zone to address power grievances during Durga Puja.

Power minister Aroop Biswas, who is in Siliguri, said: “A total of 385 mobile vans will be deployed in Siliguri zone during the festivals. A team of 7,790 employees will be on the ground to tackle power-related issues.”The department is looking at supplying 2,017MW electricity during Durga Puja days for the Siliguri zone of the WBSEDCL that comprises six districts of north Bengal — Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur.

“We have seen that maximum power is drawn on Sasthi ( around 910MW) and Saptami (936MW). Considering this, we are looking at supplying 2,017 MW electricity from 139 sub-stations,” said Biswas.

Puja organisers have to submit an estimate of their power requirement. Application for electricity for Durga Puja will start from September 25.The minister said the number of puja pandals in the region had gone up exponentially. ”In 2011, 988 puja pandals had applied for power consumption (in Siliguri zone). In 2021, there was a jump of more than 400 per cent with a total of 4,454 puja organisers applying for permission (for electricity),” said Biswas.