BENGALURU: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd’s (Bescom) new mandate to those seeking electricity connections for new constructions has left property owners distraught. This follows a BBMP directive, citing a Supreme Court order, to the power utility not to provide electricity connections to residential and commercial buildings lacking occupancy certificate (OC) and commencement certificate (CC).
“We took loans and built our home, now we’re stuck without power as Bescom has refused to give us a permanent electricity connection. Bescom had given temporary power lines till the construction was completed, but they are now saying we need to show the sanctioned plan to get a permanent connection… It will take time to get things streamlined. How can we live without power?” said Nandeesh K, a resident of Nallurhalli, Whitefield, who recently finished building a house.
Kumudhavalli Sankarsh, a resident of Sunkadakatte, said he was also denied an electricity connection to his new house. Observing that lack of proper awareness is the primary problem, he said, “Why didn’t they inform us earlier? Bescom needs to give us a timeline to get our papers regularised, and if people have committed any violations, they can disconnect the connection.”
“In both urban and rural areas, nearly 80% of the constructions coming up are on revenue sites. Such plots aren’t eligible for building plan approval, and without such approval, OCs and CCs won’t be issued and they are not eligible to get electricity connections,” a Bescom official said. The official, however, didn’t provide any numbers on power connections provided or denied after April 4, 2025, when Bescom issued the order making OC and CC mandatory.
Representatives of the Authorised Electrical Contractors Association, Bengaluru Division, and owners of several new constructions TOI spoke to said the abrupt implementation of the OC mandate without adequate public awareness and a transition period has left them in distress. They point out that many people have taken loans to construct their houses, which are now left without electricity.
Electricity contractors said they have lodged complaints with Bescom over the sudden stopping of power connections without public consultations or discussions at the govt level. They’ve urged Bescom to process the applications already submitted. “I’ve completed the wiring for a new house as agreed, but the owner won’t pay me as there is no permanent power connection,” rued Manjunath Reddy, an electrical contractor.
“The Supreme Court’s directive came on Dec 17, 2024. BBMP wrote to Bescom about this in Jan. Yet, Bescom remained silent for three months, allowing constructions to continue, and suddenly enforced the rule on April 4. This is inexcusable,” said Ananth Kumar KP, a member of the association.
Bescom managing director Shiva Shankara N said the power utility is abiding by the Supreme Court order. “We have got requests from contractors regarding the issue but there is little that we can do. Owners of new buildings seeking permanent electricity connections must produce required documents including sanctioned plans and OCs,” he said.
Source Homevior.in
