According to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), "over 2,000 KW (kilowatts) of power-theft load has been unearthed and 450 cases registered in the first week of the enforcement drive for illegally drawing power through unauthorised connections in south and west Delhi".
The enforcement drive would continue till March 31 and private discoms have planned to conduct mass raids in the next two and half months.
"We are targetting over a hundred areas across south and west Delhi. Multiple raids at several places will take place. For increased effectiveness of the drive and to unearth power-theft, raids are being carried out even during late nights and early mornings," the statement said.
"Even in the unusually cold weather, there was an increase in energy theft. Power theft leads to severe over-loading of the distribution system (transformers/feeders), resulting in trippings and is also a potential safety hazard," said BRPL chief executive Gopal Saxena.
Since July 2002, BRPL has unearthed around 1.32 lakh cases of power thefts of a total load of over 7.65 lakh KW.