Tata discom develops software to plug power theft

Theft case amounting to Rs 1 crore lodged against fabrication unit in North Delhi

In an effort to curb power theft in the capital, the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), which operates in North and Northwest Delhi, is leaning on technology. An alleged power theft case against an industrial unit — amounting to over Rs 1 crore — was filed as a result of such a “technological intervention”.

The discom came up with a specially designed software, which tracks power consumption levels of each consumer. “Based on the previous consumption levels, we built a logic and the in-house software was developed based on that,” a TPDDL official said.

The discom then installed an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system at two levels — one at the distribution transformer and the other at the individual unit. These AMRs were in turn connected to a central server. The system facilitates remote readings of power consumption.
“The central server receives the transmission readings from two different sources and the differential reading is tracked by the server. This enables us to zero in on potential power theft,” the official said.

According to the official, if the deviation in consumption levels exceeds 6-7%, then it is deemed to be a case of power theft. The official said a dedicated team of 10 men track the central server round the clock.

In the present case, the discom found anomalies in the consumption pattern of a steel fabrication unit in Samaypur Badli industrial area.
“Though the steel fabrication unit had a meter, its supply was found disconnected from the line. The factory was running on illegal supply taken directly from a nearby pole-mounted transformer. Using AMR readings, we noticed an anomaly in the factory’s consumption pattern and, on further investigation, we found it to be a case of power theft,” the official said.

An FIR for theft of 115.302 KW— single and three phase industrial load — amounting to Rs 1.89 crore was lodged against the steel fabrication unit.

Kaunain Sheriff M

As City Editor ( Delhi) at the Indian Express, Kaunain Sheriff leads city reporting with a sharp focus on accountability journalism, data-driven stories, and ground-level impact. As the National Health Editor he leads the newsroom’s in-depth coverage of pressing health issues. He is the author of Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant, a definitive investigation into the accountability of one of the world’s most powerful pharmaceutical corporations. Areas of Expertise Investigative Reporting: Has deep expertise in investigative reporting spanning public health, regulatory affairs, drug safety, and the criminal justice system. His work sits at the intersection of governance, law, and accountability, with a particular focus on how regulatory failures, institutional lapses, and policy decisions affect citizens’ rights and safety. Data Journalism: Has extensively on big data–driven investigations, including analyses of flagship government schemes and large datasets on criminal trials, uncovering systemic gaps. Global Collaborations Kaunain is a key contributor to major international journalistic projects: The Implant Files: Collaborated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to expose global malpractices in the medical device industry. Chinese Big-Data Investigation: Uncovered how a foreign data firm monitored thousands of prominent Indian institutions and individuals in real-time. Awards & Recognition His commitment to "Journalism of Courage" has been recognized with the industry's highest honors: Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism SOPA Award (Society of Publishers in Asia) Red Ink Award (Mumbai Press Club) Indian Express Excellence Awards (Triple recipient for investigations into the NSA abuse in UP, Vyapam scam, and the anti-Sikh riots). Education: Studied Mechanical Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Bangalore, before moving to Delhi to pursue his passion for journalism. His engineering training informs his analytical approach, enabling him to decode technical, legal, and data-heavy systems with precision. Social media LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaunain-sheriff-3a00ab99 X ( fromerly Twitter): @kaunain_s ... Read More

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