Ganeshotsav 2026: BEST Issues Rules For Mumbai Mandals Seeking Temporary Power Connections; Check Details

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) has released comprehensive rules for public Ganeshotsav mandals seeking temporary electricity connections ahead of Ganeshotsav 2026. These guidelines encompass various aspects, including applications, permissions, safety measures, fees, and concessional tariffs. BEST has established facilitation desks at all its Customer Service departments to aid mandals with applications.

Organizers can submit applications online via the BEST website and physically at the relevant Customer Service office with the necessary documents and undertakings. Applications demand mandal name, precise location, desired electricity duration, responsible representative's information, and bank account details for security deposit refunds.

Mandals must upload the requisite form for security deposit reimbursement through NEFT, with the refund delivered via NEFT within a month if the form is submitted, or as a cheque/demand draft within 90 days otherwise. Before installing Ganpati pandals on private or society-owned property, mandals must receive permission from the landowner/society and obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as mandated by a Bombay High Court order.

Police permissions are also required for pandals on roads or footpaths, with exceptions for applications from previous years. Electrical safety compliance is mandatory, requiring mandals to have their electrical load evaluated by a licensed contractor and submit the contractor's assessment, testing report, and ELCB testing report.

Wiring must meet capacity requirements, be installed by licensed contractors, and be securely fastened. Temporary connections incur a Rs 90 charge for single-phase and Rs 145 for three-phase applications where no existing infrastructure exists, while Rs 150 for single-phase and Rs 200 for three-phase where infrastructure is already available.

If infrastructure is unavailable, the actual cost is recovered. For new mandals, the security deposit aligns with the Ganeshotsav electricity bill from 2025 or Rs 20 per day per kilowatt, whichever is greater. Separate meter deposits stand at Rs 3,500 for single-phase, Rs 4,700 for three-phase (up to 60 kW), and Rs 10,500 for CT meters above 60 kW.

Temporary meter cabins necessitate a current electricity bill, a self-signed guarantee for bill payment, and proof of cleared previous outstanding dues. Ganeshotsav mandals will be billed under the 2026-27 tariff schedule approved by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), receiving the concessional residential-category tariff from April 1, 2026.

Consumption brackets determine charges: 0-100 units (Rs 135 fixed + Rs 2.02 per unit), 101-300 units (Rs 202.50 fixed + Rs 5.34 per unit), 301-500 units (Rs 202.50 fixed + Rs 10.04 per unit), and above 500 units (Rs 240 fixed + Rs 11.25 per unit). The wheeling charge remains at Rs 1.82 per unit across all slabs. BEST encourages mandals to apply promptly and submit all required permissions, reports, and documents timely. Clarification seekers can contact their nearest BEST Customer Service department.