A power crisis is unfolding in Western Maharashtra as 15,74,580 electricity consumers, encompassing domestic, commercial, and industrial categories, face power cuts due to accumulated arrears totaling Rs 310.17 crore. The majority of defaulters comprise 13,98,449 domestic consumers with dues amounting to Rs 218.30 crore, followed by 1,52,900 commercial consumers with Rs 62.09 crore, and 23,231 industrial consumers owing Rs 29.78 crore. Responding to the situation, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has launched an intensified recovery campaign, resulting in the disconnection of electricity supply for defaulting customers.
Over the past 25 days, 20,328 households, commercial establishments, and industrial units in Western Maharashtra have experienced power cuts due to outstanding electricity bills. The affected areas include Pune district (11,182), Satara (1,823), Solapur (6,008), Kolhapur (2,094), and Sangli district (2,776).
The current arrears in the Pune regional division stand at Rs 198.03 crore (776,498 customers), Satara at Rs 22.02 crore (186,479 customers), Solapur at Rs 49.06 crore (253,939 customers), Kolhapur at Rs 20.33 crore (177,938 customers), and Sangli district at Rs 20.73 crore (179,726 customers). The ongoing financial scrutiny by MSEDCL aims to address the consistent non-payment of electricity bills.
Pune Regional Director, Ankush Nale, emphasized that disconnections are now being carried out irrespective of the outstanding amount. Teams are also verifying disconnected electricity connections, taking action against unauthorized power usage from alternative sources.
To facilitate bill payments, MSEDCL’s official electricity bill payment centers in Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Solapur districts will be open on Saturday (30th December) and Sunday (31st December), public holidays. Additionally, consumers can make online payments through www.mahadiscom.in and Mahavitran’s mobile app. Customers with bills exceeding Rs 5000 can utilize the RTGS or NEFT payment option provided by MSEDCL.
