PATNA, Oct. 18 -- Patna has seen an 84% surge in temporary electricity connections for Durga Puja pandals over the past five years, rising from 365 in 2021 to 671 this year. According to data from the Patna Electricity Supply Undertaking (PESU), revenue from these connections has climbed 82% to reach Rs.27.80 lakh. The growth highlights the increasing power demand during the festival's peak period between Saptami and Navami, the concluding days of the 10-day Dussehra festival.

The sharpest proportional increase was recorded in the Patna City electricity division, where the number of pandals rose more than six-fold, from 12 in 2021 to 73 this year. Danapur recorded the second-largest increase in absolute numbers, with connections rising f...