Officials inspect the Chowdhary Ghat in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Sachin

The South Power Distribution Company Ltd is treading cautiously to avert any tragedy during Chhath.

The company plans to deploy officials with two cellphones at each ghat to avert any panic-like situation arising out of a rumour and take corrective steps to avoid a rerun of the Gandhi Maidan stampede tragedy.

Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Ltd (BSPHCL) chairman-cum-managing director Pratyaya Amrit has issued a slew of directives to Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) engineers to ensure safe celebrations especially on Chhath and Diwali.

Amrit issued the directives during a meeting held on Tuesday to review the power supply situation during Chhath and Diwali. “During this year’s Dussehra and the 2012 Chhath, stampedes occurred after rumour spread that electric wire had snapped taking a heavy toll on lives. On both occasions, the report of wire snapping was wrong. In view of Diwali (October 23) and Chhath (October 29 and 30), Amrit has reviewed preparations for safe and round-the-clock power supply so that any tragic incident is not repeated,” Pesu general manager Rajiv Amit said.

In a bid to quell any rumour, if spread, Amrit has directed deployment of the company’s one officer (engineer) with two cellphones at each ghat to keep a tab on such rumours and act accordingly such as ordering immediate power cut. Besides, the officer would verify rumours on the spot and order restoration of supply if he/she finds the report to be false.

Pesu would ensure deployment of an officer at power sub-stations from which ghats would be supplied electricity during Chhath, Amrit said, adding that the arrangement has been made so that quick action should be taken after verifying the complaints.

Officials would ensure that one team is deputed at each ghat during Chhath. The team members would wear the company uniform and rectify any electric fault immediately. They would ensure that no naked or cut wires are used by decorators. They would ensure that tube lights are installed beyond the reach of people, a directive said.

The directive said dilapidated wires would be changed, if needed and replaced with 11KV aerial bunched cables. Maintenance work of all the distribution transformers would be undertaken and the capacities of such transformers would be enhanced.