NOIDA: Electricity theft inspections across parts of Gautam Budh Nagar district have uncovered six cases of power theft, including one in which a consumer allegedly bypassed the meter by altering the cable arrangement, officials said on Thursday, adding that FIRs have been registered against six people.
The joint inspections by the enforcement and raid teams of the electricity department on Wednesday detected a combined 18.193 kW of alleged electricity theft in Dhoom Manikpur, Mahawad, Escort Colony in Dadri and Ranhera village. FIRs were registered under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003, officials said.
The inspections were part of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) ongoing campaign to check electricity theft and reduce line losses in Gautam Budh Nagar.
“In Ranhera, a team found a consumer allegedly stealing electricity by altering the cable arrangement before the meter. The cable had been cut and an additional cable connected, allowing electricity to be drawn illegally,” said an official from electricity urban distribution division-raid, Noida.
The other five cases were detected in Dhoom Manikpur, Mahawad and Escort Colony in the Dadri area.
The largest case was found a consumer’s place in Dadri, where the alleged theft load was assessed at 6 kW.
Officials said enforcement checks would continue in the district, particularly in high-loss areas.
“Theft of electricity is a legally punishable offence. Consumers should obtain a valid electricity connection and use electricity only through the meter. The campaign will continue with further inspections to check unauthorised electricity use and bring down line losses,” said Sanjay Jain, chief engineer, Noida zone, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL).
The department urged residents to report suspected theft on the Bijli Mitra portal.
Officials said complaints could help the discom identify high-loss areas, curb electricity theft and improve the reliability of power supply.
Senior Correspondent, Hindustan Times. Reports on district administration, health, civic issues, and environmental concerns in Noida and Greater Noida. Graduated from MJP Rohilkhand University in 2015 and started career in journalism in 2016, at The Times of India, UP West (Bareilly, Rampur, Moradabad and Sambhal) where reported on a range of issues including crime and politics till November 2021. Working with Hindustan Times since June, 2023.Read More
