In a major relief to the citizens who were deprived of electricity connections, the Delhi Government has lifted the restriction on providing electricity connections in ‘booked properties. This decision will immediately benefit more than 1.25 lakh families in the Capital.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday approved a major policy change that will allow electricity connections in properties marked as “booked” for unauthorised construction by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Government issued formal orders soon after the Chief Minister cleared the proposal.
Calling the decision a step taken “in public interest”, the Chief Minister said the aim is to restore access to essential services and uphold citizens’ fundamental rights. She said thousands of residents had been denied connections for years only because their buildings were listed as booked, even though no demolition or sealing had taken place.
Following her directions, the Special Secretary of the Power Department issued an order that bars DISCOMs from refusing electricity connections solely based on a property’s booked status. The department has been receiving a steady flow of complaints from citizens who said power companies had either denied or disconnected their supply, citing MCD records.
Officials said many of these cases have lingered for years. Demolition orders were issued but not carried out for various administrative and legal reasons. Residents continued to live in these structures, but without a legal electricity connection. The Chief Minister said the absence of regular supply pushed many to rely on illegal hookups, which increased theft and created safety risks.
She said the earlier system placed an unfair burden on citizens who had little control over delays by civic bodies. “Depriving people of basic facilities is not justified under any circumstances,” she said. She added that the new order aims to bring transparency and a fair process to situations where residents face long-pending MCD actions.
Under the revised rules, power companies can deny a connection only if the Municipal Corporation issues a formal notice stating that a property is under active demolition or sealing. In all other cases, the booked label will not be grounds for refusal. The Government has asked MCD and DISCOMs to establish stronger coordination so that there is no mismatch between records and on-ground action. Officials said the decision will also help reduce unauthorised electricity use. Regularising connections, they said, will improve safety and allow for proper billing. The government has asked DISCOMs to set up helplines to assist people who were earlier denied connections. Residents will be able to apply with basic documents, and the companies will be required to process requests without delay.
The Chief Minister said the Law Department was consulted before the final order was issued. She said the aim was to ensure that the decision met legal requirements while protecting citizens’ rights. The Government, she said, wants transparent governance and guaranteed access to essential services.
She also noted that lakhs of residents across the city have been waiting for years for a valid utility connection. Many of the properties are fully inhabited and unlikely to see immediate demolition. The new order, she said, provides clarity for both residents and power companies.
Reaffirming her commitment, the Chief Minister said the Government will continue to act in the interest of citizens’ rights and daily needs. She added that essential services must remain accessible, and administrative delays cannot come in the way of people’s basic entitlements.
