Patna: Bihar Government has introduced a new technology-based system to stop electricity theft, taking inspiration from the “UP Model” used in Uttar Pradesh. Under this new approach, the power department will no longer depend only on linemen, field staff or public complaints. Instead, modern digital tools will automatically identify suspicious electricity connections. Officials say this is a major step towards making power supply fair, transparent and efficient across the state.
The system works by studying data from smart prepaid meters installed in homes and businesses. If a consumer shows zero electricity use, a negative balance or extremely low consumption for a long period, the system marks the connection as suspicious. These details are then linked to satellite maps using the Google Earth app. This helps officers see exactly where the consumer is located and whether the reported usage matches what is happening on the ground.
Ravi Kumar, a sub-divisional officer in the electricity department, said that digital monitoring will first highlight areas where theft is most likely. These areas will be kept under special watch. Through the app, officials can see a full list of consumers with unusual power use. “This technology makes our work faster and more accurate. It helps us find cases where electricity is being used but not recorded,” he said.
Executive engineer Santosh Kumar added that a special app will be installed on the mobile phones of junior engineers. By entering a consumer ID, they can instantly see the location of a suspicious connection. When the system confirms the location through the smart meter’s chip, a red mark appears on the digital map above the house. A special raiding team is then sent to the spot to check the connection.
If electricity theft is found during the inspection, legal action will be taken immediately. Officials believe this digital system will not only reduce power चोरी but will also increase government revenue and ensure that honest consumers are not forced to pay for others’ misuse. With every unit now tracked through smart meters, the department says power thieves should be careful, because their activity is no longer hidden.
