Solar power backup within 5 seconds arranged across the entire Maha Kumbha Kshetra

16,000 solar-powered lamps installed
4.5 lakh power connections via 67,000 electric poles at the Kumbha Kshetra

– By Girish Pujari, Correspondent

Prayagraj – “In the Maha Kumbha Mela, a solar power system has been installed to provide backup electricity within just 5 seconds in the event of a power outage caused by sabotage or accidents. The roads and ghats across the Maha Kumbha area will be illuminated within 5 seconds using solar energy,” said Manoj Gupta, Superintendent Engineer of ‘Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited’, a department under the Uttar Pradesh Government while speaking to ‘Sanatan Prabhat’.

Manoj Gupta elaborated, “The Kumbha Mela spans 32 square kilometres across the three banks of the Triveni Sangam. A total of 67,000 electric poles have been installed in this entire Kumbha Kshetra, supporting 4.5 lakhs power connections. The electricity supply is facilitated through 14 kilometres of power lines. Over the past two months, extensive preparations for the electric supply in the Kumbha Kshetra have been underway. The daily electricity demand during the Kumbha Mela is approximately 30,000 kilowatts. To meet this demand, 14 main power stations and 50 substations have been set up. The electricity arrangements are managed by 33 Government officials and 5,000 contractual workers.”

Backup electricity in case of power outages

In the event of a power outage, 85 generators, each with a capacity of 125 kilowatts, are kept on standby. These generators will automatically restore power within 20 seconds. In the event of a disruption in the main power supply, the system is designed to automatically activate power through generators. These generators will provide electricity to all Government offices and main roads.Additionally, to mitigate this 20-second delay, a solar power system has been installed, which activates within just 5 seconds. As part of this initiative, 16,000 solar-powered lamps have been installed in the Kumbha Kshetra to ensure immediate lighting at ghats and crowded locations, Gupta explained.

2.5 lakh power connections still pending

During the Ardh Kumbha Mela in 2019, 3.5 lakhs power connections were setup. Currently, some Akhadas are still in the process of setting up tents, and power connections will be established once the tents are ready. Approximately 2.5 lakhs power connections remain pending, and work is progressing rapidly, Gupta confirmed.

Complaints can be filed using QR codes

A notable innovation at this year’s Kumbha Mela is the inclusion of QR codes on all electric poles. Scanning a QR code with a smartphone opens a complaint form, enabling users to immediately report electricity-related issues from any part of the Kumbha area. A dedicated portal has been developed to handle these complaints, with engineers from the electricity department actively monitoring and resolving them. The QR code system also provides location-specific details, allowing the department to quickly identify and address issues in the affected areas.

Workers demand bribes to install power connections

‘Sanatan Prabhat’ received information from some Akhadas that certain workers are demanding bribes to provide power connections. When questioned about this, Gupta admitted, “Some contractual workers doing power connections have been found engaging in this unauthorised practice. We have received a few complaints regarding this. Akhada representatives have been advised to provide evidence so appropriate action can be taken.”