Delhi DERC News: To prevent the increase in fire incidents in the summer months in the country’s capital Delhi, the regulatory authority has taken a big decision. Under this decision of DERC, people or builders will have to take NOC from the fire safety department for electricity connection in buildings with a height of more than 15 meters in residential areas.
In fact, in view of the increase in incidents of fire in the national capital during the summer months, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (DERC) has proposed that residential buildings with a height of more than 15 meters will have to obtain a no-objection certificate from the fire safety department to get electricity connection.
Connections of these buildings can be cut
The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has also considered authorising power distribution companies (discoms) to cut off power supply to buildings to be demolished by municipal agencies. The DERC has also issued a notice for amendment in the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Supply Code and Performance Standards) Regulations 2017.
What are the rules?
Rule 10(8) of the Electricity Regulatory Commission (Supply Code and Performance Standards) Regulations 2017 provides that if the height of the residential unit is more than 15 metres without stilt parking or more than 17.5 metres with stilt parking, electricity connection shall not be provided unless a fire NOC is obtained from the competent authority. Consumers in such buildings will have to produce the same when the discom seeks an NOC for electricity connection.
Let us tell you that a petitioner had alleged in a complaint to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission that discrimination is being done in giving electricity connection to houses more than 15 meters high. He had said that electricity connection has been given to the houses near his. Whereas despite having the same height, electricity connection is not being given to his house.