KSEB Detects ₹3.14 Crore Power Theft In Ernakulam Inspections

The Anti Power Theft Squad (APTS) of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has unearthed power theft valued at ₹3.14 crore during inspections in Ernakulam district. A high-tension consumer in Maradu, holding eligibility for a connected load of 50 kilowatts (kW), was found to have an illegal connection rated at 260 kW. From this unauthorized link, electricity was being supplied to 145 shops while bypassing the KSEB meter entirely.

In another instance within Ernakulam district, a separate case involved excess load of 850 kW on an establishment connection in Kalamassery municipality which had authorisation for only 450 kW. Power was being supplied from this overloaded connection to the mobile towers of BSNL and Airtel. The special drive in Ernakulam district was conducted by the APTS, Kollam unit specifically.

The Kerala State Electricity Board's Chief Vigilance Officer confirmed that similar inspections would continue across the State in the days ahead following these findings. This operation highlights significant discrepancies between authorized capacity and actual usage at specific locations. The value of ₹3.14 crore represents a substantial financial loss attributed to bypassing meters and supplying power beyond permitted limits without proper billing mechanisms.

These irregularities were identified through targeted inspections rather than routine checks, indicating an active effort by the KSEB's vigilance wing to detect hidden connections. The involvement of mobile tower operators in cases involving BSNL and Airtel suggests infrastructure-level theft affecting multiple commercial entities simultaneously. Future operations are expected to expand beyond Ernakulam district as per official statements regarding the scope of ongoing drives across Kerala's electricity grid.

Source: The Hindu