PATNA, Oct. 17 -- With the festive season drawing large crowds to Durga Puja pandals across Patna, the Patna Electricity Supply Undertaking (PESU) identified 22 of around 650 pandals as unsafe and promptly undertook remedial measures to minimise the risk of electrical accidents. The power utility launched a safety assessment drive on October 1, deploying 62 teams across its 13 electrical divisions to inspect pandals, check their proximity to overhead wires and transformers, assess electricity loads and facilitate temporary metered connections for the duration of the festivities, officials said on Friday. As part of the drive, PESU replaced overhead bare conductors with covered wires at 18 locations across the Gardanibagh, New Capital, Khagaul, Danapur, Patliputra and Bankipur divisions after finding that pandal structures were too close to power lines. It also shifted three 315-kVA distribution transformers in Sandalpur locality under the Gulzarbagh division to reduce the risk posed by large crowds gathering around a nearby pandal. In another intervention, PESU replaced overhead bare conductors with underground cables near the Land Development Bank under the Dakbungalow division, where a Durga Puja pandal has been set up for the first time this year. "We have constituted 62 teams for our 13 divisions to assess the safety of puja pandals and encourage organising committees to obtain temporary electricity connections for the entire duration of the festivities," said Dilip Kumar Singh, chief engineer-cum-general manager of PESU. The utility has also rerouted some low-tension lines, including in AG Colony, to keep overhead wires away from pandals. It has applied a coat of dielectric paint to iron electricity poles to reduce the risk of current leakage if people come into contact with them, Singh said. The inspections aim to prevent electrical hazards as pandals attract large gatherings during the festival. PESU is checking clearances from overhead wires and transformers, assessing power requirements and urging organisers to use authorised temporary connections rather than unsafe arrangements....