Bangalore Residents Can Now Apply for Permanent Electricity Connections Without Occupancy Certificate
The Energy Department has recently initiated a new policy allowing homeowners in Bangalore to obtain permanent electricity connections without needing an Occupancy Certificate (OC). From Tuesday, June 23, to Friday, June 26, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) reported receiving **6,500 applications** under this new provision.
On June 22, the State government announced that homeowners can bypass the OC requirement for securing these connections, provided the construction is completed by **May 31, 2026**. This exemption applies exclusively to buildings situated on plots that are **2,400 square feet** or larger, which can accommodate either ground plus three floors (G+3) or stilt parking with four floors (S+4).
A senior official from Bescom elaborated on the nature of the applications. He stated, “The **6,500 applications** include requests from homeowners who previously had pending applications for permanent connections, those who received temporary connections without applying, and others who currently have no electricity connection at all.”
The official further explained the application process: “Upon receipt of an application, section engineers from each subdivision are dispatched to the site. This policy is limited to properties measuring **2,400 square feet**, allowing a deviation of **20%**, which totals approximately **2,888 square feet**. This flexibility is mainly due to setback areas. While photographs with GPS locations must accompany applications, they will only indicate the number of floors without confirming the plot size. Applications failing to meet the required parameters will be denied and will need to reapply for an OC.”
Application Deadline and Inspection
The deadline to submit applications is **July 6, 2026**, and inspections will continue for **three to four months**. In some cases, homeowners may wish to install lifts within their buildings. In such instances, junior engineers will need to provide details, including photographs and site measurements, to senior engineers for approval after a thorough review.
Smart Meter Installation Requirements
According to the new regulations, applicants for permanent electricity connections must install a **smart meter** for **3 kW power** at a cost of **₹4,988**. Typically, a **3 kW smart meter** is suitable for homes with two to three bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen. The cost for installation and maintenance of these meters is **₹820**. In addition, applicants are required to pay **₹10,500** as line service charges and a deposit of **₹13,500**, which is roughly equivalent to two months’ billing amount, as per the official’s information.”
