1.25L properties booked by MCD to now get power connections: Sood

In a policy shift, the Delhi Government has announced that electricity connections will now be issued even for properties booked by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), bringing long-awaited relief to thousands of residents across the Capital. The decision, unveiled by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, is being hailed as a “breakthrough in resolving legacy issues” that have persisted for decades.

Power Minister Ashish Sood welcomed the move, saying “Legacy issues in Delhi are being resolved rapidly under the leadership of CM Gupta. Restrictions on electricity connections have now been removed.”

He said the government had delivered significant reforms within months of taking office. “In just 8 to 10 months, the government has resolved long pending disputes in Delhi. Major relief for residents of ‘booked properties’,” Sood said.

Addressing the media, Sood said the decision would directly benefit more than 1.25 lakh booked properties, and the total number of affected consumers, when counted floor wise ran into several lakhs. “Minister Sood today welcomed the Delhi Government’s significant decision allowing electricity meters to be issued even in MCD booked properties.”

Sood noted the government’s recent reforms across departments. He further said the government had already simplified complex procedures related to restaurant, hotel and other commercial licences, thereby strengthening the Ease of Doing Business in Delhi. Recently, major reforms were also introduced in the Fire Services Department, including the launch of a new online portal that has made fire licence renewal simpler and completely transparent.

He said the new decision was part of this continuous reform push. “Continuing the series of reforms, the government has now resolved the decades-old legacy issue related to MCD booked properties in a pragmatic manner. With this public-interest decision, more than 1,25,000 booked properties will receive direct relief. If viewed floor wise, the number of affected consumers runs into lakhs.”

The minister highlighted the struggles residents previously faced due to lack of electricity access. “Sood highlighted that while residents of booked properties were earlier allowed to obtain water connections, they were denied electricity meters forcing them to struggle for years. Many were compelled to rely on generators, borrow electricity from neighbours, or use expensive temporary connections. Such circumstances also led to misuse and exploitation.”

He criticised the former administration for creating hurdles. “Criticising the AAP-led Municipal Corporation, Sood said the previous government had deliberately created complications for issuing electricity connections in MCD-booked properties due to political pressure, making it extremely difficult for people to obtain a legal connection.”

Under the new order, officers cannot reject applications solely because a property is “booked”. Sood said under the new government order, no application for electricity connection would be denied merely because a property was marked as “booked”.