Kolkata: West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company is planning to procure a substantial number of diesel generator (DG) sets and UPS units on a rental basis from neighbouring states like Assam and Bihar.This will be done to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power at polling stations. The state will have 85,379 polling booths at 55,000 polling premises. The Election Commission has directed power companies to ensure continuous supply on voting days.”Out of the 55,000 polling premises, DG sets or UPS units will be deployed in 40,000 locations. In Kolkata, Salt Lake and Siliguri, these backup systems will be stationed at sector offices and dispatched immediately to polling stations as required,” a power official said.EC has expressed concern after discovering that a few hundred polling stations, including about 100 in Kolkata, don’t have electricity ahead of polls. Officials said the lack of power could severely impact webcasting that has been mandated to ensure transparency.The poll body has also directed district election officers to immediately restore electricity at these locations. In places that can’t have direct electricity connections, alternative arrangements have been made. Authorities have been told to ensure no booth should be affected due to the power crisis on polling day, EC sources said.According to sources, the highest number of such booths (50) has been identified in the Kolkata Port constituency. This has raised questions about past polling arrangements in these areas. It has also sparked criticism of infrastructure preparedness.Another power official said on average, 8-10 ICDS centres in each district lack electricity. “These centres usually don’t need power supply as they operate during the day. However, as many will function as polling stations, companies have been told to provide temporary power supply,” the official said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Never Be Forgiven’: PM Modi Dares Opposition On Women Quota Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Questions Timing‘Won’t Reduce South’s Share’: Amit Shah Clarifies On Delimitation, Calls Oppn Claims ‘Misleading’Hal’s Light Utility Helicopter Explained: Specs, Altitude Edge And Why It Matters‘PM Modi Only Flag Bearer Of Feminism’: Kangana Ranaut Targets Congress Over Women Quota Bill In Lok SabhaPM Modi, French President Macron Stress Urgent Need To Restore Hormuz Safety During Phone Call’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks123PhotostoriesExclusive – Kiku Sharda opens up about his kids’ reaction to his female roles, Sunil Grover’s talent, and his bond with Kapil Sharma5 Japanese food rituals that could fix your eating habits instantly5 Signs of high emotional intelligence that instantly set you apart from others5 things couples do before calling it quitsWhy your heirloom Kanjeevaram saree feels so different from a modern silk shirt8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living123Hot PicksIran warWipro buyback planPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikTrump-Modi callSouth Delimitation ImpactAmit ShahPriyanka GandhiUK Flea Treatment RulesAlex ManningerCody RhodesCharlie Kirk ControversyTiger Woods
Kolkata: West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company is planning to procure a substantial number of diesel generator (DG) sets and UPS units on a rental basis from neighbouring states like Assam and Bihar.This will be done to ensure an uninterrupted supply of power at polling stations. The state will have 85,379 polling booths at 55,000 polling premises. The Election Commission has directed power companies to ensure continuous supply on voting days.“Out of the 55,000 polling premises, DG sets or UPS units will be deployed in 40,000 locations. In Kolkata, Salt Lake and Siliguri, these backup systems will be stationed at sector offices and dispatched immediately to polling stations as required,” a power official said.EC has expressed concern after discovering that a few hundred polling stations, including about 100 in Kolkata, don’t have electricity ahead of polls. Officials said the lack of power could severely impact webcasting that has been mandated to ensure transparency.The poll body has also directed district election officers to immediately restore electricity at these locations. In places that can’t have direct electricity connections, alternative arrangements have been made. Authorities have been told to ensure no booth should be affected due to the power crisis on polling day, EC sources said.According to sources, the highest number of such booths (50) has been identified in the Kolkata Port constituency. This has raised questions about past polling arrangements in these areas. It has also sparked criticism of infrastructure preparedness.Another power official said on average, 8-10 ICDS centres in each district lack electricity. “These centres usually don’t need power supply as they operate during the day. However, as many will function as polling stations, companies have been told to provide temporary power supply,” the official said.
