Bhubaneswar: Tata Power Discoms in Odisha established a strong and structured enforcement ecosystem supported by dedicated field vigilance teams, women-led enforcement squads and close coordination with local police authorities to contain power theft.These teams conduct regular inspections, deploy technology-enabled monitoring and carry out public awareness efforts aimed at identifying and eliminating illegal or unsafe power use. Their proactive presence has significantly strengthened the state’s ability to reduce losses, enhance system stability and protect consumers from disruptions caused by power theft.However, enforcement alone is not enough. The discoms emphasise that public cooperation is vital in creating a fair and reliable energy environment.
Effective enforcement against electricity theft remains central to ensuring reliable, safe and affordable power supply across Odisha. As the state’s distribution companies continue modernising infrastructure and enhancing service delivery, curbing power theft has become essential to maintaining system health and ensuring fairness for all consumers.Power theft, whether through illegal hooking, meter tampering or unauthorised usage, continues to be a major driver of distribution losses in several regions.These losses in crease the financial strain on the power sector and indirectly impact honest, bill-paying consumers who ultimately bear the burden through higher system costs or delayed service improvements.
When miscreants misuse the network, families and businesses that diligently pay their bills are left subsidising unlawful usage, creating an unfair system that penalises responsible behaviour.
Illegal and un safe tapping of electricity also overloads feeders and distribution transformers, resulting in voltage fluctuations, frequent tripping and extended outages that affect entire communities. Such practices place excessive stress on equipment, disrupt daily life and pose serious public safety hazards including the risk of electrocution, fires and widespread equipment damage. These consequences undermine the integrity of the grid and impact even thosewho comply with the rules.
Consumers are urged to use only legal, metered electricity, avoid unsafe tapping practices and actively report any incidents of electricity theft or hazardous connections in their neighbourhoods. Timely reporting helps prevent accidents, reduce outages and support the efficient functioning of the power network.
To report power th eft or unsafe electricity usage, consumers may contact the dedicated helpline of discoms or call 1912.
As Odisha continues upgrading and expanding its power infrastructure, reducing power theft wlilliplay a decisive role in improving voltage levels, minimising outages and ensuring a stable, equitable and transparent power supply system. A collective commitment to lawfu electricity usage wlill strengthen the states progress toward providing unin terrupted, affordable and high-quality power to every consumer.
