Hyderabad: A new rule mandating occupancy certificates (OCs) for power connections has left thousands of consumers in Hyderabad in limbo, with nearly 3,000 applications pending and many forced to opt for costlier temporary connections.The Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) has made OCs mandatory for releasing new electricity connections for buildings above 10 metres, following a Supreme Court order issued in Dec 2025. However, the move has triggered widespread complaints, especially from owners of renovated buildings and those seeking additional power load, who say the requirement is impractical in such cases. Official sources said the OC — issued by municipal authorities after completion and inspection of new buildings — is now being insisted upon even for cases where old structures have been modified or upgraded. Residents like S Bikshapathi, who rebuilt his ground-plus-four floor house in Saroornagar after demolishing an older structure, have been caught in the middle. Despite approaching authorities and receiving a recommendation that OC should not be mandatory for additional load, no decision has been taken by the discom. Plea to govt, discomThe issue has sparked growing demands for relaxation of norms, with consumers urging the state govt and TSSPDCL to exempt renovated buildings and additional load applications from the OC requirement. Some have also sought clarity for apartment owners, particularly in cases where only certain floors are authorised. Amid mounting pressure, TSSPDCL chairman and managing director Jitesh V Patil recently held detailed discussions with senior officials, including superintending and chief engineers, to review the situation. Field officers flagged practical difficulties in implementing the rule uniformly, and proposals for relaxation were placed before the management. “Additional loads on the existing services can be released without asking for production of OC after renovation of the building. If any owner or builder wants additional meters other than old metres for the renovated buildings, they can be given under temporary category if the building height is above 10 metres. If the building is in the 75 square yards plot areas and height above 10 metres, OC should not be asked for the individual residential buildings,” a superintending engineer said. Officials also suggested that for buildings on plots above 240 square metres and exceeding 10 metres in height, OC should remain mandatory, with only temporary connections allowed for a limited period. Supply to unauthorised layouts and illegal constructions would continue to be restricted. “For the houses constructed above 240 square metres plot area, height above 10 metres, power connection under domestic category can be given for the portions constructed as per the building rules. And unapproved portions in the same building will be given supply under temporary category,” another official said. Govt clearance While the proposals have reportedly received in-principle approval from the discom CMD, the discom is awaiting clearance from the state govt before taking a final call. TSSPDCL director (commercial) Ch Chakrapani confirmed that representations have been received from consumers and contractors seeking relaxation. “The CMD will take a call on such relaxations soon,” he said. Unedited GFX:As per the building rules issued by the govt from time to time, electricity regulatory commission orders, and court orders, the TSSPDCL should give regular (domestic and commercial) connections on the production of OC along with applications for buildings above ground and three and above floors. The GHMC issues OCs to the buildings after verifying that they complied with the building rules.Several building rules GOs right from 2006 to 2017, govt circulars, regulatory commission orders, and court orders, TSSPDCL cannot give power connections to the buildings without OCs. The Supreme Court in an order in December 2024 even asked to take action against the officer who was responsible for issuing power connections without OCs. It also wrote letters to all chief secretaries of the states.
