Nearly 80% consumers gave wrong phone number to Bescom

Company is struggling to get ‘valid numbers’ to send SMS alerts on power outages and billing information

Bescom says it caters to 90% of industries, and with the dip in availability of hydro-electricity, it has had to make a lot of short-term power purchases.

In some ways, it is ironic that while spammers manage to get mobile numbers for their pesky calls, Bescom is struggling to get ‘valid numbers’ to send SMS alerts on power outages and billing information.

As part of Bescom’s outreach through an SMS-based alert system, over 48 lakh phone numbers, representing 90% of their customers, were collected through meter readers and other officials. However, barely 20% were found to be valid. “We do not know why the consumers are not ready to share their number with us,” said P. Rajendra Cholan, Managing Director, Bescom on Wednesday.

The proposal for SMS-based alerts was made in 2012, but gathered steam only in the past month. Currently, information on power cuts are displayed on websites or published in newspapers — both of which have limitations.

By sending bulk messages, Bescom hopes to keep residents aware of scheduled and unscheduled power cuts and reduce the burden on their helpline (1912).

Simplifying procedure

Bescom receives nearly 8 lakh applications annually for new connections, change of name in bills and requests for enhancing sanctioned load. It takes between a week to a month to clear such ‘simple’ requests.

The complicated application forms for various services have led to mushrooming of touts and middlemen who are estimated to number over 3,000.

To eliminate middlemen, Bescom plans to simplify procedures. The company was hoping to share the proposal with consumers via SMS and get their feedback.

“By making it completely online, a customer would have to visit our offices only to submit photographs or ID proof. Before we implement this system, we would like feedback from customers to ensure smooth transition,” said the Bescom MD.

Pre-paid meters in the offing

After a successful experiment in Indiranagar, Bescom will extend its ‘pre-paid’ meter concept to over 80,000 temporary connections across its jurisdiction.

At present, temporary connections are given for new constructions, exhibitions, hoardings among other things, but with the current meter, violations in power drawn are seldom noticed.

The pilot in Indiranagar involved 2,500 ‘pre-paid meters’ in which the consumer pays for power before it is consumed. Revenue has soared by 30%, largely through penalties for violations detected by these meters.

“We want to cover street lights and water pumping stations too, which owe us a lot of arrears,” said P. Rajendra Cholan, Managing Director, Bescom.