Agartala, October 7:** The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to waive electricity bills for eligible Durga Puja clubs and committees with connections of up to five kilowatts within its jurisdiction, officials said.
The decision was taken at a meeting at the AMC office to review preparations for Durga Puja celebrations in the state capital.
The waiver is expected to provide financial relief to Puja organisers, who incur significant expenses on lighting, decorations and other arrangements during the festival.
Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath attended the meeting along with AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder, councillors and senior civic officials.
Nath said the administration was committed to ensuring that Durga Puja was celebrated in a safe, peaceful and festive atmosphere.
He said coordinated efforts by various government agencies and Puja committees were necessary to ensure smooth celebrations and adequate public facilities during the festival.
The electricity-bill waiver is aimed at easing the financial burden on eligible Puja committees and supporting community-led celebrations across Agartala, officials said.
The meeting also reviewed civic infrastructure and essential services required during the festival.
Officials discussed road repair and maintenance works and stressed the need to complete pending works before the main days of Puja.
Adequate street lighting and stable electricity connections at Puja venues were also reviewed to ensure uninterrupted arrangements during the celebrations.
The meeting further discussed measures to strengthen drainage and sanitation systems in different parts of the city, particularly in areas expected to witness large gatherings.
Officials emphasised coordination among the AMC, electricity authorities, police and Puja committees for crowd management, traffic regulation and emergency response.
Mayor Dipak Majumder said the civic body was working on 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 large crowds to Puja pandals across the city.
The festival also involves extensive community participation, with committees making arrangements for decorations, lighting, cultural programmes and public facilities.
With organisers facing increasing costs, the power-bill waiver is expected to offer 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 and essential services.
Authorities have also called for cooperation between Puja committees and civic agencies to ensure orderly and safe celebrations across the city.
