Power theft crackdown: Bescom intensifies raids and introduces smart meters

To combat electricity theft, Bescom has ramped up measures such as frequent raids and smart meter installations. These initiatives aim to streamline operations and curb meter tampering by alerting officials in real-time.

Startups and home-based businesses in Bengaluru are major culprits, with 4,785 theft cases reported annually over the past three years. Tariff misuse—using residential connections for commercial activities—accounts for 70% of cases. Many violators remain unaware of legal repercussions, prompting Bescom to launch awareness drives.

The Covid-19 pandemic spurred tariff misuse due to a rise in home-based businesses like cloud kitchens and home bakers. Misuse occurs when residential electricity powers profit-making ventures, which must register as commercial consumers.

Meter tampering, bypassing, and hooking also contribute to theft. Hooking, which involves drawing power directly from lines, is prevalent in shopping areas, construction sites, and rural regions. Bescom conducts weekly raids to address these issues and uses feeder loss audits to identify theft hotspots.

Smart meters, scheduled for rollout by February, are expected to deter tampering and improve monitoring. Bescom also offers temporary connections at ₹12 per unit to reduce hooking incidents at construction sites.

Ironically, power theft penalties generate significant revenue, with ₹10,616 lakh collected in four years. Bescom remains committed to stricter vigilance and public awareness to curb violations.

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