Less burden on transformers after ‘katia’ connections snapped

LUCKNOW: The anti-power theft drive launched by the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) in Moazzamnagar and a few other areas of the city is yielding results.

On Tuesday, the load of 11 kv Moazzamnagar feeder in Noorbadi area dropped to 124 amps in comparison to 160 amps earlier.

“This is the effect of thorough checking on Tuesday. The load reduced by 20%, after the combing drive by our staff . All the ‘katia’ connections were removed,” said Ashutosh Srivastava, GM, LESA.

“The transformers were overloaded and the area used to face multiple power cuts due to tripping of transformers. But after the drive in the area, the load on transformershaseasedconsiderably,” he added.

On Wednesday, 274 connections were snapped and Rs 51.61 lakh was realised from defaulters and power thieves.

FIR was lodged against 30 consumers who were stealing power and refused to pay penalty on the spot, said Srivastava.

During another raid, a 96-room Vaishno Devi hostel in Chinhat (in front of BBD University) was found drawing power supply from its 3 kv domestic connection.

The owner was using 33 KV load instead.

A penalty of Rs 12 lakh was slapped on the owner, Krishna Mohan Tewari who allegedly tried to bully the LESA team with the help of his men.

However, the police was called and FIR was lodged against Tewari for stealing power.

In the last three days, LESA realised more than Rs 1.1 crore from defaulters. It also lodged over 120 FIRs against power pilferers.

“So far, we have removed over 1,500 ‘katia’ connections and educated people for taking legal connections instead. But if people continue with power theft, there is no option but to take legal action against them,” said Ashutosh.

The transformers were overloaded and the area used to face multiple power cuts due to tripping of transformers. But after the drive, the load has eased considerably. ASHUTOSH SRIVASTAVA, GM LESA