Major Crackdown on Power Connection Irregularities in Hyderabad
In a significant move against regulatory violations, the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited has initiated a sweeping crackdown on illegal constructions and unauthorized electricity connections across Hyderabad. The power utility has issued show-cause notices to approximately 60 of its engineers for approving electricity connections to buildings that lacked mandatory occupancy certificates from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation or for failing to identify counterfeit and fabricated OCs.
Stringent Internal Checks and Application Scrutiny
This action represents one of the most rigorous internal investigations conducted by the power distribution company in recent years. The discom has substantially intensified its examination of applications for new electricity connections. During thorough verification processes, officials identified between 400 to 500 buildings or individual floors that did not possess the required civic permissions, leading to the rejection of their applications.
Criminal cases have been formally registered against 10 individuals and firms for allegedly submitting forged occupancy certificates to secure electricity connections illegally. The engineers who received notices over the past several months range from assistant engineers to divisional engineers and even superintending engineers, with the highest concentration originating from the Cyber City circle.
Geographic Focus on Rapid Development Areas
The Cyber City circle encompasses rapidly developing regions including:
- Gachibowli
- Kondapur
- Ibrahimbagh
- Narsingi
- Nallagandla
- Tara Nagar
- Hafeezpet
- TNGOs Colony
- Rajendranagar
- Medchal
These areas, along with parts of the Saroornagar division of TGSPDCL, have experienced substantial construction growth over recent years. Official verification exercises also uncovered serious violations in GO 111 areas, including Moinabad, Vattinagulapally, and surrounding localities where building activity faces specific restrictions. Despite clear prohibitions, electricity connections were provided to structures erected without proper permissions, allegedly with the cooperation of local engineers.
Regulatory Framework and Compliance Requirements
According to building rules issued by the government, orders from the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission, and court directives, TGSPDCL is authorized to provide regular domestic and commercial electricity connections only upon presentation of a valid occupancy certificate for buildings with ground plus three floors and above. The GHMC issues occupancy certificates exclusively after confirming that construction complies with approved plans and building regulations.
In situations where applicants cannot produce valid OCs, the discom is empowered to provide only temporary electricity connections, charging tariffs three to five times higher than regular rates. While regular connections typically cost approximately Rs 3 to Rs 4 per unit, temporary connections can reach up to Rs 10 per unit, making non-compliance an expensive proposition for property owners.
Official Statements and Legal Context
"There are several building rules GOs right from 2006 to 2017, government circulars, regulatory commission orders, and court orders. TGSPDCL cannot give power connections to buildings without OCs. The Supreme Court, in an order in December 2024, even asked to take action against the officer who was responsible for issuing power connections without OCs. It also wrote letters to all chief secretaries of the states," stated TGSPDCL director (commercial) Chilkumari Chakrapani.
Officials emphasized that illegal constructions not only violate building norms but also result in significant revenue losses for the government. "If a builder or owner takes permission for two floors and constructs two or three more floors, the GHMC or civic body will lose revenue in the form of building fees and other fees. Apart from that, the discom provides power to domestic consumers at a subsidized rate," Chakrapani explained.
Pattern of Violations and Engineering Accountability
According to officials, unauthorized additional floors are widespread in several colonies in western Hyderabad, where higher rental demand encourages builders to maximize floor space in violation of approved permissions. Sources within the discom revealed that many engineers facing disciplinary action have claimed they were unaware that the submitted occupancy certificates were fake, partially issued, or fabricated.
In numerous instances, builders allegedly obtained OCs for one block and used copies to secure connections for additional unauthorized blocks or floors. To address these systemic gaps, TGSPDCL has requested access to data on the MyGHMC application, which would enable officials to digitally verify building permissions and occupancy certificates before granting electricity connections.
Impact on Residents and Future Measures
The ongoing crackdown has unfortunately left several flat owners caught in difficult circumstances. "I purchased a flat on the second floor, but my builder raised two floors unauthorizedly. Now I have to suffer due to the builder's greed," expressed R Kalyan, a resident of Lalapet, who urged the government to find a solution and restore power connections to at least legally approved floors.
This comprehensive action by TGSPDCL underscores the growing emphasis on regulatory compliance in urban development and highlights the challenges of balancing rapid construction growth with adherence to building safety standards and legal requirements.
