Khatima power bill counters leave consumers waiting for hours amid long queues

Long queues at the Uttarakhand Power Corporation office on Melaghat Road are creating difficulties for electricity consumers in Khatima, with some reportedly waiting up to 4 hours without completing their payments.

The congestion has continued for several days. On Friday, consumers began arriving in large numbers, but the available counters could not process everyone between 10 am and 2 pm. Several people had to return without depositing their bills.

The problem is affecting residents who leave work and other essential tasks to visit the office. The queues have become particularly difficult for consumers who need to complete payment in person.

Only 2 payment counters for around 56,000 connections

Khatima has approximately 56,000 domestic and commercial electricity connections. However, the office currently has only 2 payment counters, one designated for women and the other for men.

The arrangement has not prevented delays during the period when many consumers arrive to pay before the due date. People who spend much of the day at the office may still be unable to complete the transaction before counters close.

The situation also raises a separate concern about bill documents. Many consumers receive their electricity bills through WhatsApp but do not receive a printed bill at home. Staff at the payment counter may nevertheless ask for the manual bill, creating additional difficulty for those who arrive without it.

Official points to due-date crowding

SDO Alok Sachan said the office sees heavier crowds around the bill due date. He said separate facilities had been arranged for women and men at the existing office.

Sachan advised consumers to pay their bills online, saying this could reduce the need to wait at the counters. His response addresses the immediate queue problem, although consumers who depend on in-person payment may still face delays while the current arrangement remains unchanged.

The Energy Corporation is also preparing to provide a bill-payment counter at its new office in Pakariya. The proposed facility is intended to improve access for consumers, but the supplied information does not specify when it will begin operating.

For now, consumers must choose between waiting at the Melaghat Road office and using online payment. The reported absence of printed bills for some households adds another obstacle at the counter.

Conclusion

Khatima consumers are facing long waits because a large connection base is being served through 2 payment counters. Officials have recommended online payment and are preparing another counter at the new Pakariya office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where are consumers facing long queues?

The queues have been reported at the Energy Corporation office on Melaghat Road in Khatima.

Q. How long have some consumers waited?

Some consumers have reportedly waited up to 4 hours without completing their bill payment.

Q. How many electricity connections are there in Khatima?

The area has approximately 56,000 domestic and commercial electricity connections.

Q. How many payment counters are currently available?

The office has 2 counters, arranged separately for women and men.

Q. Why are crowds larger at certain times?

SDO Alok Sachan said the number of consumers increases around the bill due date.

Q. What issue has been reported about printed bills?

Many consumers receive bills on WhatsApp but do not receive a manual bill at home, while counter staff may ask for the printed document.

Q. Is another payment counter being planned?

Yes. A bill-payment counter is being prepared at the new Energy Corporation office in Pakariya.