Non-availability of land is hampering robust power supply and augmentation of distribution network in around 600 slums and 600 unauthorised colonies in the national Capital. Apart from massive encroachment in the slums, discoms faces resistance from the locals as they do not allow officials to install new poles in front of their flats and also resist in providing any space for installation of new transformers.
The power major BSES Rajdhani Power limited (BRPl) and BSES Yamuna Power limited (BYPl) are facing constraints in expanding the electricity network in many unauthorised colonies due to multiple reasons, includes Shaheen Bagh near Sarita Vihar, Mahipalpur Chowk, Mehrauli, Gandhi Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Harsh Vihar, Ghitorni, Bijwasan and Rajpur Khud, Karawal Nagarm, Daryaganj Chandan Chowk and Kishangargh.
“This is a matter of great concern and these are increasingly affecting discoms ability to maintain stable and robust power in the area. The apathy of the various stakeholders are the main obstacles in building up a good network. The company’s best efforts and attempts to augment its infrastructure to even meet the current demand have come to a naught. Even after writing authorities for many years, the situation is far from resolved,” the official said.
Massive encroachment is another obstacle in expanding network in these areas as the colonies like Shaheen Bagh do not have space to lay down the electricity infrastructure.
“Many electricity poles and even transformers that was hosting 25 KVA HVDS in the area have been either damaged or removed while constructing flats by the residents,” the official said.
“It is a common sight in these areas as electricity pole is either inside or merged with a flat’s balcony due to encroachments. In addition to this, the illegal extensions have brought the balconies within a handshaking distance of the distribution box or transformer fuse, posing great danger of life and property,” he added.
Taking advantage of the ground conditions, many residents with legal connections are indulging in power theft by illegally tapping into the discom lines, making the situation worse. At the same times, the power supply of regular colonies also gets impacted due to their proximity to unauthorised colonies with rampant power theft, the official added.
According to the sources, power theft has become an organised trade in such colonies. There are local contractors who collect monthly charges from the residents and give them stolen electricity.
“This is not only resulting in substantial revenue loss to the discoms, but is also increasing the number of local breakdowns. Efforts of discom enforcement teams to check irregularities, is often thwarted by the residents. Whenever enforcement teams reach there, residents of the area ‘gherao’ them and don’t let them check their premises,” sources said.
“Discoms have been continuously appealing and advising those whose constructions violate the electricity rules. But the residents of the area are not taking these much repeated advisories seriously and continue with their illegal construction even at the peril of their safety,” the official said.
“With such issues, not only are the discoms unable to augment their electricity infrastructure in the area, but due to rampant encroachments, the entire area is sitting on a tinder-box, posing a serious threat to the safety of the residents. For meeting the existing and future needs of the area, discoms need to strengthen and augment its distribution system. For this, it needs suitable spaces for installing new transformers and electric poles,” he said.