The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) has prepared records against 78 people within 24 hours of a major electricity-theft crackdown in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area. The proposed fines total ₹39.66 lakh, with individual penalties ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹3.50 lakh.

The action followed raids by UPCL, its vigilance team and police personnel on Monday morning. Teams inspected more than 100 shops and houses across the Azadnagar, Nai Basti, Station Road and Gandhinagar feeder areas.

Officials said a total of 120 electricity-theft cases are to be registered. Forty-2 records, known as fards, are still being prepared. More than 20 UPCL officers and employees worked late into the night after the raids and continued preparing documents on Tuesday.

People found involved in the cases have started visiting UPCL offices. The penalties are being determined after examining connections ranging from one kilowatt to 5 kilowatts, which has added to the time required to complete the paperwork.

Feeder load falls after disconnections

UPCL officials said the crackdown produced an immediate change in the load recorded on the affected feeders. Before the operation, the load had reached as high as 110 amperes. After the action, it fell by 40% to 50%.

The recorded 24-hour supply figures also changed across the 3 listed feeders:

  • Gandhinagar: 87 amperes before the action and 61 amperes afterwards.
  • Azadnagar: 110 amperes before the action and 69 amperes afterwards.
  • Station Road: 96 amperes before the action and 83 amperes afterwards.

Average consumption on one feeder had been about 50 thousand units in 24 hours. After the action, it fell to 28 to 30, according to the figures provided by officials.

UPCL estimated that the scale of the illegal electricity use was causing a daily revenue loss of ₹40,000 to ₹45,000. The department is using the feeder data and connection load details while assessing the cases and penalties.

Armoured cable project planned for Banbhoolpura

UPCL is also installing armoured cable in Banbhoolpura to reduce the scope for electricity theft. The project is estimated to cost ₹3 crore and covers about 380 kilometres of cable. Work on 60 kilometres has been completed so far.

The area affected by railway encroachment has not been included in the cable project. According to information available to the department, some local residents have opposed the installation of armoured cable in Banbhoolpura.

Across the Haldwani Town and Rural, Ramnagar and Nainital divisions, UPCL has set a target of installing 1.88 lakh smart meters. So far, 89 thousand meters have been installed. About 70% of Banbhoolpura has received smart meters, while officials said electricity theft was continuing in the remaining parts.

Earlier case and estimated losses

A previous electricity-theft drive was conducted in Banbhoolpura in 2024, when cases were registered against 67 people. The latest operation came 2 years after that campaign.

Based on estimates of average monthly theft of 2.40 lakh units, the department has projected a loss of ₹2.80 crore over 2 years. The estimate relates to the period before the latest enforcement action and is being used to indicate the scale of the alleged unauthorised consumption.

Pradeep Kumar, UPCL executive engineer, said the penalty process was taking time because officials were checking connections between one kilowatt and 5 kilowatts before fixing the amount in each case.

Conclusion

UPCL has completed 78 records after the Banbhoolpura raids, with ₹39.66 lakh in proposed fines, while 42 more records remain to be prepared. The department is also relying on feeder monitoring, smart meters and armoured cable work to curb further electricity theft.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many people have had records prepared so far?

UPCL has prepared records for 78 people.

Q. What is the total proposed penalty?

The proposed penalties total ₹39.66 lakh.

Q. How many electricity-theft cases are expected in total?

UPCL said 120 cases are to be registered, with 42 records still pending after 78 were prepared.

Q. Where did the raids take place?

The teams conducted raids in the Azadnagar, Nai Basti, Station Road and Gandhinagar feeder areas of Banbhoolpura.

Q. How much did the feeder load fall after the action?

Officials said the load fell by 40% to 50% after the crackdown.

Q. What is the armoured cable project’s cost?

The project is estimated to cost ₹3 crore and covers about 380 kilometres of cable.

Q. How many smart meters have been installed across the listed divisions?

UPCL has installed 89 thousand of the 1.88 lakh smart meters targeted across the Haldwani Town and Rural, Ramnagar and Nainital divisions.

Q. When was the previous Banbhoolpura electricity-theft drive?

The previous campaign was conducted in 2024, when cases were registered against 67 people.