Patna: Residents of Bihar may soon find it easier to deal with power cuts, after the state government announced a series of measures aimed at improving accountability and response times in the electricity sector. The decisions were taken at a review meeting of Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL) and its subsidiaries on January 24, chaired by the Energy Secretary, Manoj Kumar Singh.
Among the most significant changes is the decision to print the mobile number of the area-specific call centre on every electricity bill. Officials said this would give consumers a direct line to the team responsible for local fault repair, cutting through the confusion that often arises during outages over whom to contact.
At present, consumers frequently face delays as complaints move between call centres, local offices and field staff. Under the new arrangement, the bill itself will act as the first point of reference, allowing complaints to be registered quickly and routed to the appropriate team, reducing response times during power trips and technical faults.
The state is also planning to launch an integrated online complaint portal at the headquarters level, bringing together grievances from all power distribution areas. Once a complaint is lodged, consumers will receive a unique identification number that will allow them to track its progress in real time, including which official is handling it and the expected timeline for resolution. Officials say the system will improve transparency and fix responsibility at every stage.
Data from smart meters will also be analysed to strengthen the grid, helping authorities identify areas prone to frequent faults, overloading or inadequate maintenance. The meeting further set a deadline of March 31, 2026 for completing maintenance of grids, substations, distribution transformers and feeders, in preparation for the surge in electricity demand during the summer months.
Officials said the broader aim of the reforms was not just technical improvement but restoring public confidence in the power supply system.
