Pune: As Ganeshotsav preparations intensify, the municipal corporation has issued a stern warning to Ganesh Mandals regarding the safe installation of electrical connections for their pandals.

The corporation has cautioned against taking unauthorized electrical connections from municipal street lights, junction boxes, or feeders, emphasizing the potential danger of such actions.

To ensure public safety, the corporation has outlined specific guidelines:

• Avoid tampering with streetlight poles and electrical systems.

• Do not touch poles and feeder pillars.

• Unauthorized connections from streetlight poles are strictly prohibited.

• Keep animals away from streetlight poles.

• Exercise caution around exposed electrical cables due to excavation.

• Do not incorporate streetlight poles into pavilion construction.

• Flex hoardings should not be tied to poles.

• Climbing streetlights is strictly forbidden.

The electrical department has urged mandals not to use streetlight poles as support structures or place pandals too close to them. The warnings come as mandals across Pune begin setting up pandals and displays for the upcoming festival.

The corporation is actively inspecting streetlights across the city to identify and address any potential hazards. Residents are encouraged to report any issues such as poles with electrical currents, rusted poles, broken junction boxes, or damaged feeder pillars to the nearest regional office.

During the Ganeshotsav period, MSEDCL is offering temporary electrical connections at minimal rates, and the corporation strongly advises mandals to opt for these official connections to avoid accidents.

Chief Engineer Manisha Shekatkar emphasized that the corporation will not be held responsible for any incidents resulting from unauthorized electrical connections.