LUDHIANA: A worrying trend of increasing thefts targeting copper and oil from power transformers across Ludhiana district is leading to frequent electricity outages, impacting residents and businesses. In the year 2025 alone, the district recorded an alarming number of over 1,800 such incidents, exacerbating the challenges faced by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in maintaining a stable power supply.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that copper and oil were pilfered from 1,883 transformers in 2025. These thefts predominantly occurred under the cover of darkness, with a concentration of incidents reported in rural and semi-urban pockets including Salem Tabri, Dehlon, Dhandari, Karabara, Haibowal, Basti Jodhewal, and Tibba Road.
The stolen transformer oil commands a significant price, estimated at around Rs 70 per litre in the open market, while copper wiring also remains in high demand, incentivizing the perpetrators. The consequence of these thefts is often prolonged power cuts, which disrupt essential services such as water supply, hinder students’ ability to study, and result in substantial economic losses for local enterprises.
Farmers have voiced concerns over the disruption to their irrigation schedules, with crops suffering due to the unpredictable power supply. Similarly, shopkeepers reported a decline in customer footfall, especially during the evening hours, when power outages become more prevalent and affect business operations.
Residents in affected areas expressed their frustration. “On Tibba Road, we are left in darkness for hours whenever thieves strike. It affects our children’s studies and even basic needs, like water supply,” stated Sunita Sharma, a local resident, articulating the collective anxiety and helplessness felt by many families experiencing these recurring disruptions.
PSPCL officials attribute the escalation in thefts to the persistent demand for copper and transformer oil in the illicit scrap market. They highlighted that these acts not only damage vital infrastructure but also escalate maintenance costs, placing an additional burden on the department’s financial resources. The continuous need for repairs and replacements diverts funds and personnel that could otherwise be utilized for infrastructure upgrades.
Authorities are facing mounting pressure to implement enhanced security measures around power substations and transformers to curb this escalating menace, which has emerged as a significant challenge to the region’s power infrastructure and economic stability. The current security arrangements are proving insufficient to deter the organized groups involved in these thefts.
The recurring thefts have also ignited discussions among local civic groups. These groups argue that the issue extends beyond a simple law-and-order problem, suggesting it reflects underlying socio-economic factors such as rising unemployment and the allure of quick financial gains through the scrap trade. They advocate for a multi-pronged approach that combines stringent law enforcement with social intervention programs aimed at dissuading young individuals from engaging in such criminal activities.
The current situation poses a serious threat to the reliability of the power grid in Ludhiana and necessitates a concerted effort from law enforcement agencies, power utility providers, and the community to find sustainable solutions. The economic and social ramifications of these thefts are far-reaching, impacting daily life and hindering development.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
