Bescom sees dip in new connections after SC mandated occupancy certificates

With only 22,000 smart meters installed by electricity consumers so far this year, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has seen almost a 10-fold dip in new connections. While on average, around 4 lakh new connections are provided by the power utility, in the last six months, the process has taken a hit.

According to sources in Bescom, smart meters have been availed by consumers due to a Supreme Court order, which mandated the occupancy certificate (OC) to avail other utilities like power and water connection.

“There are thousands of applications for new electricity connections pending with Bescom for which OCs are yet to come. This is why the progress of the smart meter installations has also been very slow. Out of the 22,000 meters that have been installed, around 15,000 are in Bengaluru and the remaining 7,000 in other regions,” the source said.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has mandated smart meters in the State for temporary as well as new electricity connections. Smart meters, which provide a two-way communication system between the power utility and the consumer, also provide information about the load, consumption, etc., and usually work on a prepaid mode. Earlier in March, senior officials of the Energy Department had said that around 2% (3 lakh) of the consumers in Bescom region were estimated to get smart meters.

However, considering the current progress, it might be years before many consumers can install smart meters in their buildings.

Those who have already installed these meters in their buildings say that while they are happy about the transparency the meters offer, they are awaiting the arrival of the mobile app. “During the construction phase of my house, the smart meter was really helpful as it was displaying my balance and I could recharge it accordingly. After it was converted into a permanent connection, I use it to track my usage and plan my monthly budget. Initially, I had heard that there was a mobile app that helps with tracking and payments, but I have not come across any such apps by Bescom so far,” said Suchitra Sreekumaran, a homeowner from Jalahalli.

Meanwhile, resident welfare associations across the city said that the new OC requirement for utility connections has brought in a much-needed reform among property owners, especially where illegal commercialisation is rampant. “Ever since this clause was put in, we have noticed that there has been a decrease in the number of people who are violating the rules. They are more diligent now,” said Sneha Nandihal, of I Change Indiranagar.