Lucknow/Prayagraj. Preparations for Magh Mela 2026, the great festival of faith starting from January 3 on the Sangam banks, are in the final stages. This time, the electricity department has come into the field with many innovations to ensure uninterrupted, safe and smart power supply in the fair area spread over 800 hectares. For the first time, high-tech technology like ‘Scan to Fix’ is being used in Magh Mela, which will enable quick solution to any electricity related problem. The electricity department has made elaborate arrangements to keep the city of temporary tents set up on the sands of Sangam illuminated 24×7 during the 44-day long Magh Mela.
Ashok Kumar Sharma, Executive Engineer (Magh Mela) of Electricity Department, said that this year 350 km long LT line is to be laid in the fair area, out of which work of about 320 km has been completed. About 7.5 lakh temporary electricity connections will be given in the fair so that the devotees and Kalpavasis continue to get uninterrupted electricity. Under ‘Scan to Fix’ technology, for the first time, QR/Bar codes are being installed on more than 15 thousand electric poles, lines and connections in the fair area. As soon as these codes are scanned, the electricity workers will get complete information about the location and problem in the control room, which can be resolved in record time. Devotees will also get the benefit of this technology.
By scanning the QR code, complaints about not only electricity but also water shortage, broken road or other basic problems can be lodged through Google Form. Apart from this, due to easy location identification, this system will also prove helpful in case of getting lost. To further strengthen the power supply, this time 5 Ring Main Units (RMUs) are being installed in the fair area, whereas in the last Magh Mela there was only one RMU. Due to this, in case of any fault, power supply can be restored within just 10 seconds.
A budget of Rs 32 crore has been set for electricity system for Magh Mela 2026, which is about 10 percent more than the previous fair. 47 km HT and 350 km LT lines, 25 big and 35 small sub-stations are being built in the Mela area, which will have a three-layer power backup system. More than 25 thousand LED lights are being installed to illuminate the entire fair area. Along with this, hybrid solar lights will be installed at all the major bathing ghats and intersections of the Sangam, which will ensure eco-friendly 24×7 lighting. DG sets have also been arranged to deal with emergencies.