Chennai consumers express shock over exorbitant bi-monthly electricity bills
Chennai residents are reporting significantly higher electricity bills, attributing the surge to delayed meter readings and increased power consumption during an extended summer. The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) confirms that peak power demand has reached record highs, further straining the distribution system.
Why it matters
Rising utility costs and infrastructure strain highlight the challenges of managing urban energy demands during extreme weather events caused by climate change.
Hundreds of consumers in Chennai city have raised complaints about getting exorbitant bi-monthly electricity bills this year compared to last year. Particularly, domestic consumers in the city claimed that they were shocked seeing the electricity charges for the bi-monthly usage of June and July.
The residents have been sending complaints online to local officials of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) about the exorbitant bills.
S. Manish, a resident of Nungambakkam, pointed out in his complaint that he would normally get electricity bills ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, but in this cycle, he received a bill of ₹10,000.
Several consumers complained that the primary reason for the high electricity bills were due to delayed assessment of the meters. Normally, the assessors are permitted a cushion of five days from the regular assessment cycle to complete the job. But residents complained that the delays are longer.
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