Ranchi: Residents allegedly using power beyond the sanctioned limit may face immediate disconnection as the Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) struggles to manage a massive surge in demand during summer, officials said.
Surge in Power Consumption
Official data from JBVNL indicated that total consumption across the city’s three primary grids, Hatia, Kanke and Namkum, has surged from 281 MW to 386 MW in just 20 days, marking a jump of over 37%. This unprecedented increase has put immense pressure on the power distribution network.
Warning from JBVNL
Manmohan Kumar, general manager of the JBVNL Ranchi Supply Area Board, emphasised the gravity of the situation. “Using electricity beyond the sanctioned load limit is illegal. People need to disclose their increase in electricity usage so appropriate measures can be taken to manage the load,” he said.
Kumar issued a warning that the discom will be forced to disconnect power in case of those who fail to disclose increased household load or choose to overload their lines. “If you are permitted to use 2 kW of power and you are using 5-6 kW, then we will disconnect the power supply. We permit a maximum of only 30% extra load,” he clarified.
Impact on Feeders
Kumar added, “We have already started facing major issues with certain feeders witnessing a load increase of over 50%. For example, in the ITI feeder, the load has increased from 200 amps to 380 amps in 20 days.” This overloading poses risks of transformer failures and prolonged outages.
Consumer Advisory
Kumar urged consumers to coordinate with their local offices and provide advance notice if they plan to increase their load this summer. He explained that while a domestic household can take permission to use anywhere from 2 kW to 100 kW, disclosure is mandatory. “Accordingly, we will work on increasing the capacity of the wires, distribution feeder and the grid,” he added.
Electricity Theft and Smart Meters
Electricity theft typically surges during the summer months which adds to overloading. Between April 2025 and January this year, JBVNL recorded 26,924 instances of illegal hooking and bypassing of meters. However, Kumar indicated that such issues should be resolved this year. He explained that because nearly every meter in the city has been upgraded to a smart version, theft should be minimised, ensuring that a household’s consumption reflects only its own usage.
Garbage Dumping Hazard
Addressing another perennial summer hazard, Kumar highlighted the dangerous habit of dumping garbage near transformers or electricity cables. Such refuse frequently catches fire, leading to major accidents and significant departmental losses.
“I appeal to the people to not throw garbage near transformers or areas where we have 11 kW and 33 kW wires rising. If you spot someone throwing garbage near these areas, please inform the discom or police. Also, if you spot any sparks in any line or transformer, please immediately inform us,” he said.
Weather-Related Power Cuts
In a related development, recent rain and thunderstorm have provided some respite from the heat for residents, though they simultaneously triggered widespread power cuts. During the inclement weather, electricity was cut across feeders to safeguard equipment from lightning strikes. However, even after the rain ceased and power was restored, several areas continued to suffer prolonged outages lasting several hours.
Defending the move, Kumar stated, “Sometimes, in case of heavy thunder and storms, we have no option but to shut down the supply to prevent accidents.”
