Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has used an AI-based system to catch nearly 28,000 instances of electricity theft. The drive has helped recover Rs 29.85 crore in dues so far, as the utility aims to bring power distribution losses below 10% in the next three years.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is changing how it stops power theft by using artificial intelligence. Instead of relying only on manual field checks, the utility is using a data-driven approach to spot irregularities in electricity usage. This digital method allows the company to monitor over 50 technical parameters, such as sudden spikes in power usage, historical consumption patterns, and unusual meter activity, to identify high-risk locations for inspection.
Between June and August 2026, this monitoring system identified 27,964 cases of electricity theft. As a result of these findings, MSEDCL has issued assessment bills totaling Rs 66.28 crore. The company has successfully recovered Rs 29.85 crore from 10,810 resolved cases. Geographically, the Konkan region recorded the highest number of theft cases, followed by significant detection volumes in Nagpur, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
To manage this process, the utility is using a mobile application called the Theft Tracking and Monitoring System (TTMS). This tool allows field officials to upload digital evidence in real-time, including photographs and inspection logs, which ensures transparency and accountability. By digitizing the records, the company can also build stronger evidence for legal action. MSEDCL has already initiated 289 criminal proceedings under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, which includes penalties and potential prison sentences of up to three years for offenders.
Reducing electricity theft is a major operational goal for state-owned power distribution companies, which often struggle with financial stress caused by high distribution losses. These losses occur due to technical issues in the power grid and theft, affecting the financial health of the utility. MSEDCL has set a clear goal to reduce these losses to below 10% within the next three years. Investors and sector observers will be monitoring whether this tech-enabled enforcement strategy can be sustained to achieve these targets and improve the overall financial stability of the state's power distribution business.