Discoms: Power theft by e-rickshaws leads to losses of Rs 120 cr a yr
According to sources, there are around 1.6 lakh e-rickshaws plying in Delhi but only about 50,000 are registered.
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2 people were killed this week when a e-rickshaw that was being charged caught fire. PTIE-rickshaws in Delhi cause power losses of up to Rs 120 crore each year, officials from the city’s power distribution companies said.
According to sources, there are around 1.6 lakh e-rickshaws plying in Delhi but only about 50,000 are registered.
“In Delhi, it is estimated that over 60% of e-rickshaws are involved in power theft, resulting in a loss of 15-20 MW across the city, translating to an annual loss of around Rs 120 crore… This not only causes revenue loss but also leads to safety hazards,” said a senior official.
On Sunday, two men were killed in a fire that broke out at a house in East Delhi’s Dilshad Garden while two e-rickshaws were being charged. Last week, fire had erupted at an e-rickshaw charging station in the Ghonda in Northeast Delhi.
Discom officials said the rickshaws were charged in batches “as part of an organised illegal network controlled by local strongmen”.
“E-rickshaw owners/drivers pay a fixed fee of Rs 200-300 per day per e-rickshaw to the parking and charging mafia… The operators use illegal wiretapping from low-voltage mains to steal electricity. Some strongmen own several e-rickshaws and rent them to drivers,” said a senior discom official.
Some of the areas where frequent power thefts by e-rickshaws have been witnessed across the city are Mandawali, Minto Road,Karol Bagh, Jama Masjid. Sangam Vihar, Batla House, Sarai Kale Khan, Tagore Garden, Paschim Vihar, Civil Lines, Mukherjee Nagar, and Narela.
“E-rickshaws are not dangerous; however, their illegal charging through direct theft and the use of sub-standard batteries are significant safety hazards. Exposed electricity wires left open during illegal charging and non-adherence to safety standards often cause sparks and short circuits. These exposed live wires also pose a danger to the public, especially children playing in these areas during the daytime. Such open wires have led to electrocutions in the past,” said officials.
Officials said that this also leads to stress on the existing network causing possible breakdowns and voltage issues, inconveniencing other consumers in the area.
The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has a special tariff category for e-rickshaw charging at Rs 4.50 per unit to encourage legal connections.
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