Now, report power theft on Whatsapp

Now reporting power theft is just a click away with two power distribution companies launching Watsapp numbers for its consumers to send pictures and videos about such incidents.

BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) have launched Whatsapp numbers 9555010022 (for South and West Delhi) and 8588892156 (for East and Central Delhi).

“Now consumers can shoot videos and photographs of power theft and Whatsapp them along with the location and address to these centralised numbers. Identity of the people reporting  power theft will be kept confidential,” said an official of the BSES.

According to BSES, the service has been primarily targeted at high power theft areas. The areas where power theft continues to be a concern include Najafgargh, Jaffarpur, Mundka, Nangloi, Seelampur, Nand Nagari, Yamuna Vihar, Karawal Nagar and Shaheen Bagh. It is also rampant in some unauthorised colonies.

“Centralised teams have been set-up to monitor and take appropriate action on the basis of the photographs and videos received,” it said.

”To promote the service, BSES will soon start engaging Residents Welfare Associations.”

Posters are also being put-up by the BSES in high power theft areas, the official said. Consumers will also be educated on how to capture evidence of power theft while shooting videos and photographs, he added.

“Power theft has taken a shape of organised crime and it is an opportunity for honest and law abiding citizens of the city to report and help in controlling this menace. Apart from discoms, honest consumers also suffer due to power theft,” said the official.

“We want more and more citizens to come forward and actively participate in this campaign to make Delhi a power theft free city.”

According to BSES, power theft is not only resulting in substantial revenue loss to the discoms, but is also increasing the number of tripping and local breakdowns manifold.

“Efforts of discom enforcement teams to check the irregularities are thwarted by organised gangs on many occasions. Whenever enforcement teams reach these areas, these gangs gherao the terms and don’t let them check their premises,” the official said.