Discoms to use WhatsApp to catch power thieves in city

NEW DELHI: Delhi discoms are now planning to use WhatsApp to catch power thieves. According to a BSES official, consumers can shoot videos and take photographs of

NEW DELHI: Delhi discoms are now planning to use WhatsApp to catch power thieves. According to a BSES official, consumers can shoot videos and take photographs of power theft in their locality and message them (along with the location address) to centralised numbers. Identity of the people reporting power theft will be kept confidential.

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“BSES consumers can send power theft videos to 9555010022 (BRPL consumers in South and West Delhi) and 8588892156 (BYPL consumers in East and Central Delhi). This service has been primarily targeted at areas more prone to power theft. Teams have been se up to monitor and take action after photographs and videos received,” an official said.

To promote the service, the BSES discoms will start engaging with residents. Consumers will also be educated on how to capture evidence of power theft through videos and photographs.

“Power theft has taken a shape of organised crime and it is an opportunity for honest and law-abiding citizens of the city to report and help in controlling this menace. Apart from discoms, honest consumers also suffer due to power theft. We want more and more of them to come forward and actively participate,” a BSES spokesperson said.

There are areas in Najafgargh, Jaffarpur, Mundka, Nangloi, Seelampur, Nandnagri, Yamuna Vihar where power theft continues to be a concern.