Over five lakh residents in west Patna, parts of south and central Patna and Bihta in rural Patna will face a nine-hour (8am-5pm) power cut on Saturday owing to overhaul of a power grid in Khagaul.

The overhaul, which aims to augment the gird capacity to supply 300MW from the existing 200MW, would affect areas that are connected to Khagaul, Digha and Bihta grids.

The areas where power supply would be snapped include Khagaul, Walmi, Bhusaula, Phulwarisharif, Garikhana, AN College area, Indrapuri, Mahesh Nagar, Rajeev Nagar, Danapur-Khagaul road, Saguna Mor, RPS road, Anand Bazar, Nasriganj, Excise Colony, Digha, Jagdeo Path, Lohia Path, Bailey Road, Danapur, Rajapur, Patliputra, Nehru Nagar, BC Road, Mandiri and Ashiana-Digha road.

"Power lines from the 1,33,000 KVA grid at Khagaul used to snap," a Bihar state transmission company official said. "It was able to supply just 200MW against the peak demand of 250MW. After the overhaul, we would be able to supply around 300MW."

Khagaul, Digha and Bihta grids are supplied power from the grid that would be overhauled on Saturday, the official said. Residents who get their power from these grids would have to bear this temporary snapping of power for a comfortable summer.

Officials of Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu), which looks after power distribution in urban and peripheral areas, were busy chalking out plans to supply power to areas where power can be supplied through alternative sources on rotation.

"We'll be able to work out details of power supply to some of the affected areas by late evening," a Pesu official said on the condition of anonymity. As three of the grids would remain non-functional, it was virtually impossible to ensure even rotational power supply to affected areas. "Some rotational power would be supplied to AN College area through the SK Puri power sub-station, but for how long we cannot say at this point of time," said another Pesu official.

He also said efforts would be made to provide electricity on rotation in the IGIMS area through the Jakkanpur power sub-station.

Residents appeared concerned but were relieved that they had been informed in advance. "If a nine-hour power cut ensures better supply during rest of the year, I am more than willing to face this temporary problem," said N.K. Mishra, a resident of Jagdeo Path locality in West Patna.