BEST, RInfra & TPC seek hike in new connection charge

Mumbaikars who apply for new electricity connections, reconnection of supply or testing of their meters may have to pay more to the power distribution companies.

The BEST, Tata Power Company (TPC) and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) have submitted petitions to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval of the increased charges, pointing out to the rise in the costs of material and services.

The BEST, which provides power from Colaba to Mahim and Sion, has proposed that its application registration and processing charges for new connections, reduction or addition of load, shifting of service and restoration of supply be hiked from Rs25 to Rs100 for single phase consumers, for three phase and high-tension (HT) supply from Rs50 and Rs100 to Rs100 and Rs200 respectively.

RInfra, which caters to consumers in the suburbs and Mira-Bhayandar, has sought to increase these charges for the single phase connections from Rs25 to Rs70, for three phase and HT supply from Rs50 and Rs150 to Rs100 and Rs200 respectively.

TPC, which distributes power in bulk and also individual consumers, has proposed to hike charges for residential consumers from Rs25 to Rs70 for single- phase and from Rs50 to Rs80 for three-phase consumers.

The utilities, except TPC, have also sought to hike other charges such as service connection charges for new connections and extension of load, reconnection, testing of installation and meters at the consumers’ request and cost of meters.