Denied power for 10 hrs, Chembur's Siddharth Colony gets electricity temporarily

Around 15,000 residents of Siddharth Colony in Chembur East were denied electricity for almost 10 hours on Tuesday. Just as the fight over power-supply was turning dark, Reliance Energy, after a several meetings, resumed supply to all 3,500 houses late night on humanitarian grounds.

The electricity was cut off allegedly because reszidents failed to pay bills for 12 years, which amount to Rs 63 crore. Residents say the builder had promised to pay them.

"In 2003-04, BSES hiked consumption rates. Later, Reliance Energy took over and charged more. We decided not to pay bills in protest," says Jeetendra Adsul, adding, "We did not allow Reliance Energy to check meters till 2013. Later, we allowed this but did not pay bills because the builder promised to do so. Why has Reliance Energy woken up after 12 years? Our present builder is ready to pay all arrears."

An official from Reliance Energy said the residents have been given many chances to pay their dues. "But they are ferocious and have abducted staffers. They have political influence and are confident that nobody will act against them," he said.

"We don't know what decisions or negotiations were made at the meetings," says Sunil Sukhdev. "We will take updates on Wednesday."