K-Electric continued its crackdown on electricity theft, unearthing several cases of meter tampering in the North Karachi Industrial Area. K-Electric’s data monitoring unit indicated nearly 800,000 units of electricity could have been lost annually owing to the scale of the theft.
Over just the past three months, 10 cases of meter tampering were detected in the area, while another 22,400 kilogrammes of illegal hooked connections (kundas) also removed from K-Electric’s network. Several kunda removal drives have already been conducted in the area with miscreants using new ways to steal electricity. In one instance, electricity cables covered seemingly by an internet box were being used to steal power. In another case, an illegal underground network of cables passing through a drainage stream was being used.
K-Electric spokesperson Imran Rana said miscreants take advantage of loadshed-exempted industrial feeders to steal large amounts of electricity. “However, KE is committed to eliminating illegal connections and improving the area’s loss profile so that residents can benefit from reliable and uninterrupted electricity. Citizens are urged to use metered and legal connections installed by K-Electric staff and to ensure timely bill payments to enable stable power supply. Community leaders and residents are also requested to cooperate in clearing outstanding dues and to report power theft through K-Electric’s digital channels or at [email protected].”
Reduction in power theft and timely bill payments directly lead to improved recoveries and reduced losses, which are key factors in minimising load-shedding and ensuring a stable electricity supply in any area.
