Uttar Pradesh Power corporation Limited has identified 400 power distribution feeders for high line loss in the state. The power utility has undertaken the necessary repair and maintenance work on these feeders, to be followed by enforcement action if losses persist.

UPPCL chairman Ashish Goyal on Tuesday reviewed the performance of all the five Discoms and directed the officials to bring down the line losses.

Presiding over a meeting to review the performance of the Discoms and enforcement team of the power utility, the UPPCL chairman said that efforts were being made to curb power theft and improve the power distribution system. He said the enforcement teams should have forms for approving electricity connections and increasing loads so that on the spot connections could be given.

He said relentless efforts were required for curbing the line losses. He said immediate connection be provided to the consumers if instances of unauthorised drawl of power from the low-tension distribution line were detected. “The power theft continues then take action and impose a fine on the defaulters,” he added.

He said the line losses in urban areas were unacceptable and the field officers’ officers who failed to curb the power theft would face action. He said a team of vigilance and power distribution division officials should conduct joint raids and also install check meters on those feeders. The chairman said he had received several complaints regarding the metres installed at the premises of power consumers. He said the manually written number on the metre was not valid and only the number printed inside the meter was valid.

He said the UPPCL had taken comprehensive measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and curb power theft. He said the on the spot load revision was being done by the UPPCL   for the consumers who were consuming more electricity than the load sanctioned on their connection.

UPPCL chairman said the state government intended to not just act against that consuming electricity without a proper connection, but also to offer them an immediate electricity connection on the spot. 

The state government had taken several measures to curb power theft in the state. One of these measures is the introduction of the Bijli Mitra portal, which allows people to complain about power theft without revealing their identities. Since the launch of the portal, numerous complaints have been received and in response the UPPCL has taken serious actions.

The UPPCL chairman said that it should be ensured that no person with a disconnected connection was  able to consume electricity without getting a valid connection approved.

Regarding the Bijli Mitra portal, which was launched to address power theft complaints, he said that complaints were being received consistently and appropriate measures were being taken in response.