An electricity ambulance parked near Patna-AIIMS on Sunday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna Electricity Supply Undertaking (Pesu) is now equipped with two electricity ambulances.

The vehicles, fitted with ready-to-use transformers and other related gadgets, would be used in providing immediate power supply to areas that would face problem of burnt transformers during Diwali and Chhath.

They would be pressed into service during emergencies, ending the dependence on mechanics and also ensure hassle-free power supply to the consumers during the festivities.

Pesu general manager Rajiv Amit said: “We have got two electricity ambulances to work during the festivals. One would be stationed at the collectorate and another in Danapur.”

The ambulances are specially designed vehicles fitted with transformers of 500KVA and 315KVA capacity and tools that are required to connect a transformer with the main line for supplying electricity to the consumers.

On the benefits, Amit said: “In the normal procedure, it was a lengthy and tedious job to replace the burnt transformers. However, in the case of electricity ambulance, the power supply of the affected area would be restored within minutes with the help of transformers fitted in the ambulance. The service would be provided till the burnt transformer is replaced. This is being done to provide quick service to consumers during Diwali and Chhath, when consumption increases manifold.”

As things stand now, it takes one to three days to replace burnt transformers in urban areas, whereas in rural areas, it sometimes takes more than a week forcing consumers to go without power till the replacement arrives.

Pesu’s initiative assumes significance as the district administration has issued strict guidelines as far as providing disruption-free power supply, especially during Chhath. Proper lighting at all the ghats, including the approach roads, are a priority.

The electricity ambulances are fitted with GPS (global positioning system) devices to track their movement and they would be kept in ready position round-the-clock to address consumers’ complaints in the shortest possible time.

Amit added: “If everything goes according to the plan, we may get 10 transformer ambulances in all the 10 divisions by Chhath because the rest eight are in transit. This is being done under the restructured accelerated power development and reforms programme (RAPDRP), which is a centre-sponsored scheme that talks about strengthening and renovation of the power infrastructure.”