THANE: On Wednesday, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao directed power companies to refrain from supplying electricity to any unauthorized structures, emphasizing the need for verification of legal statuses.
During a high-level meeting at the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters, Rao stressed that providing power to unauthorized buildings contravenes court orders and should be strictly prohibited through diligent verification processes.
“The high court has explicitly stated that electricity should not be supplied to unauthorized constructions,” he affirmed, noting that both Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) and Torrent Power are legally obligated to confirm a building’s legality before permitting power connections.
Rao clarified that connections cannot be provided based solely on an affidavit or application; power companies must verify supporting documents that prove a structure’s legal status prior to connection.
Senior officials from TMC and representatives from power supply companies attended the meeting.
“This is a critical issue. The high court has made it abundantly clear that only authorized constructions qualify for electricity supply. This regulation must be adhered to starting now,” Rao declared.
To ensure compliance and minimize inconvenience for legitimate consumers, the civic chief urged both companies to collaborate with TMC’s Urban Development Department to create a joint verification system.
“An efficient procedure must be implemented immediately to guarantee that all future electricity connections are checked for legality. Any uncertainties must be escalated to senior management to prevent mistakes,” Rao added.
