The electricity department in Sultanpur is preparing to launch a special recovery drive after outstanding electricity bill dues exceeded ₹1,490 crore. According to departmental data, more than 2.52 lakh consumers have unpaid electricity bills out of over 4.42 lakh registered consumers across the district.
The electricity department said recovery of pending electricity bills has become a major challenge in Sultanpur district. Consumers in the Sultanpur First, Baldirai, Kadipur, Jaisinghpur and Lambhua divisions collectively owe more than ₹1,490 crore in unpaid electricity bills.
Departmental records show that more than 4.42 lakh consumers are registered across the five divisions, of whom more than 2.52 lakh fall under the defaulter category.
The department stated that timely recovery of these dues would help strengthen the electricity supply system and provide resources for new power projects. However, previous recovery drives have not produced the expected results.
The electricity department had submitted proposals for several new substations and expansion of power infrastructure in the district. These included the establishment of 33/11 kV substations at Police Line, Ankaripur, Hanumanganj, Lambhua and Kadipur, along with a 132 kV substation at Bahlolpur.
According to the department, most of these proposals could not receive approval because of the large outstanding dues.
At present, only the Police Line substation proposal has been approved and is operational. Of the 198 proposals submitted during 2025–26, only a limited number of projects have received approval. The department said future projects could progress once its financial position improves.
Departmental records show that outstanding electricity bills are not limited to individual consumers. Various government departments, including the Forest Department, Agriculture Department, Revenue Department, Police Department, District Panchayat and Rural Development Department, together owe more than ₹65 crore.
Officials said electricity bill payments for government departments are made at the government level, but despite this, a substantial amount remains unpaid, placing additional financial pressure on the department.
Superintending Engineer Vipul Kumar Jain said special camps will soon be organised to recover pending dues. Consumers will be given an opportunity to clear their outstanding bills through these camps.
He said electricity connections of consumers who fail to pay their dues even after the special recovery drive will be disconnected in accordance with the rules.
The department has appealed to consumers to pay their electricity bills on time so that the power supply system remains operational and proposed electricity projects in the district can receive approval at the earliest.
