Agartala, October 7: The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to waive electricity bills for eligible Durga Puja clubs and committees having power connections of up to five kilowatts within its jurisdiction, officials said on Wednesday.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the AMC office to review preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations in the state capital.
The waiver is expected to provide financial relief to Puja organisers, who bear substantial expenses on lighting, decorations, cultural programmes and other arrangements during the festival, officials said.
Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath attended the meeting along with AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder, councillors and senior civic officials.
Nath said the government was committed to ensuring that Durga Puja was celebrated in a safe, peaceful and festive atmosphere.
He stressed the need for coordination among government departments, civic authorities, police and Puja committees to ensure smooth celebrations and adequate public facilities.
The meeting reviewed preparations related to civic infrastructure and essential services ahead of the festival.
Officials discussed road repairs and maintenance and stressed that pending works should be completed before the main days of Puja to minimise inconvenience to residents and visitors.
Street lighting and electricity supply at Puja venues were also reviewed, with officials emphasising adequate lighting and uninterrupted power during the festivities.
Drainage and sanitation arrangements in different parts of the city, particularly in areas expected to witness large gatherings, also came under discussion.
Officials further reviewed measures for crowd management, traffic regulation and emergency response. They stressed the importance of coordination among the AMC, electricity authorities, police and Puja committees to deal with large crowds and respond quickly to emergencies.
Mayor Dipak Majumder said the civic body was making comprehensive arrangements covering sanitation, roads, drainage, street lighting and electricity supply.
He said necessary measures would be taken to ensure that residents and visitors do not face inconvenience during the festival.
Durga Puja is one of the biggest annual cultural events in Agartala, attracting thousands of people to pandals across the city.
The festival sees extensive community participation, with Puja committees making arrangements for decorations, lighting, cultural programmes and public amenities.
Against the backdrop of rising costs of organising community celebrations, the electricity-bill waiver is expected to provide some relief to eligible committees, officials said.
The AMC and other agencies will continue to monitor preparations ahead of the festivities, with emphasis on public convenience, safety and uninterrupted essential services.
