Patna: The Bihar energy department has begun deploying satellite imagery and smart prepaid meters to identify power theft, marking a significant shift towards technology-led enforcement.
Following a model already in use in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, the state is integrating Google Earth with data from smart meters to detect irregular consumption patterns. Officials say the system will reduce dependence on informants and manual reporting, relying instead on digital mapping and real-time usage data.
Under the new mechanism, households showing unusually low or zero electricity consumption despite having an active connection will be flagged automatically. Such cases will be treated as potential instances of meter tampering or illegal connections and placed under surveillance.
A dedicated mobile application has been introduced for junior engineers, enabling them to locate consumers precisely by entering a consumer ID. The smart meter’s embedded chip identifies the property, which then appears as a marked location on Google Earth. Homes suspected of power theft are highlighted with a red marker, signalling a high probability of irregular usage.
Officials said locations flagged through the system would be compiled into lists for inspection by special raiding teams. If theft is confirmed during on-site checks, legal proceedings will be initiated immediately and a first information report (FIR) lodged.
The department believes the use of satellite mapping will help identify theft-prone areas and allow closer monitoring of zones where actual consumption does not match recorded data. All information will be centrally available, enabling faster and more targeted enforcement.
Pankaj Rajesh, an engineer with the energy department, said the move sent a clear warning to offenders. “Every activity is now being monitored through smart prepaid meters,” he said, adding that digital surveillance made it increasingly difficult for electricity theft to go undetected.
