DTL, BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, Tata Power Delhi, DERC — who handles what in Delhi's electricity system, and who should I file an RTI with?

Delhi's electricity system has three distinct layers, each handled by a different entity. (1) Bulk transmission — Delhi Transco Limited (DTL): DTL owns and operates Delhi's high-tension transmission network (400 kV, 220 kV, and 66 kV lines and grid substations). It carries power from generating stations and the national grid to bulk supply points. File RTI with DTL for: transmission line route data, substation capacity and outage records, EMF safety near high-tension towers, grid failure incident reports, and transmission project contracts. (2) Retail distribution — Discoms (BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, Tata Power Delhi): The distribution companies receive power at bulk supply points from DTL and supply it to homes and businesses through 11 kV and below lines. File RTI with your discom for: electricity billing, meter reading disputes, new connection delays, power theft complaints, and local feeder-level outages. (3) Regulation — DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission): DERC is the independent regulator that determines tariffs, sets service standards, and adjudicates disputes between consumers and discoms. File RTI with DERC for: tariff orders, discom performance data, DERC's orders and regulations, and consumer grievance statistics. All three bodies are Delhi State entities; RTI goes to rti.delhi.gov.in and second appeals go to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC).

Our area faces frequent power outages. How do I determine whether the problem is with DTL's transmission network or the local discom distribution network?

The key distinction is the point of failure. DTL is responsible for the bulk supply network — if the grid substation supplying your area is tripping, overloaded, or experiencing transmission line faults, the outage will affect entire colonies or sub-divisions simultaneously and for extended periods. Your discom (BSES or Tata Power) is responsible for the distribution network from the bulk supply point to your meter — local feeder faults, transformer failures, and line breakdowns at this level tend to affect a smaller group of consumers. A practical test: if the outage affects only your street or a small cluster of houses, it is almost certainly a discom distribution issue. If the outage affects a large area — an entire colony or multiple colonies — simultaneously, it may be a DTL bulk supply or grid-level failure. To investigate formally: (1) file RTI with DTL asking for outage records at the grid substation serving your area for the last year — if the grid substation shows frequent interruptions, DTL is the source; (2) separately file RTI with your discom asking for feeder-level outage data for your area. Comparing the two responses will establish the root cause. The discom is the first point of contact for consumer complaints; RTI to DTL is the tool to probe whether the bulk supply infrastructure is responsible for area-wide outages.

Residents believe the grid substation in our area is overloaded, causing frequent outages and voltage fluctuations. How can RTI document this for civic action?

RTI to DTL can build a detailed factual record. Ask for: (1) the installed transformer capacity (in MVA) of the [Substation Name] Grid Sub-Station and the actual peak load recorded at that substation for each month of the last two years; (2) whether the substation has been recorded as operating beyond its rated capacity — if yes, on how many occasions and the dates; (3) whether DTL has a planned augmentation (capacity addition or new transformer installation) for this substation — if yes, the approved plan, estimated timeline, and current implementation status; (4) the number of bulk supply outages at the substation in the last two years and the reasons attributed to each. When a substation is chronically overloaded, DTL's own records will show load figures exceeding rated capacity. This data, obtained through RTI, can be presented to: DERC (which monitors DTL's performance), the local MLA or MP for public pressure, or used in a public interest litigation before the Delhi High Court arguing that DTL is failing its statutory obligation to maintain reliable transmission infrastructure.

Delhi Transco Limited did not respond to my RTI within 30 days. What are my options?

If DTL does not provide the information or send a valid rejection within 30 days, you have two levels of appeal. First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at DTL — typically a senior officer designated above the CPIO — within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Your first appeal letter should state that no response was received within the statutory period and request the information with immediate effect. Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA does not respond satisfactorily within 30 days of receiving your first appeal, or if you receive an unsatisfactory response, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) within 90 days. DTL is a company under the Government of NCT of Delhi — it is a Delhi State body. The second appeal therefore lies with the DIC (Delhi Information Commission, established under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2005) and not with the Central Information Commission (CIC). The DIC has the power under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on a PIO who has failed to comply without reasonable cause, and to recommend disciplinary action.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with Delhi Transco (DTL) — Transmission Lines, Substation Outages and EMF Safety

Delhi State

How to File RTI with Delhi Transco (DTL) — Transmission Lines, Substation Outages and EMF Safety

Q: There are high-tension towers right next to my colony. Can RTI establish whether they are within safe distance standards, and what about EMF risk?

Yes, RTI to DTL can be very effective here. You can ask for: (1) the approved right-of-way (RoW) corridor width for the transmission line passing near your colony, and the recorded distance of the nearest tower from the residential boundary; (2) the safety standards or guidelines adopted by DTL regarding minimum distance of high-tension towers from residential areas, and the specific standard applicable to the voltage level of the line near your colony; (3) whether any EMF measurement study has been conducted for the towers near your colony, the EMF values recorded at the tower base and residential boundary, and a copy of the study report. RTI cannot force DTL to take remedial action, but it can establish on official record: (a) the actual distance between the tower and residences, (b) the applicable safety standard, and (c) whether DTL has even conducted an EMF assessment. If the RTI reveals that no study was conducted or that measured values exceed guidelines, this information can be used as the basis for a formal representation to DTL, a complaint to DERC, or a public interest petition.

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) or the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) under GNCTD for high-tension transmission line route data, substation capacity and outage records, EMF safety data near towers, transmission project contracts, and grid failure incident reports in Delhi. Note: for billing disputes and discom complaints, use the separate DERC/discoms RTI guide. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryGovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)

Address RTI ToPIO, Delhi Transco Limited, Shakti Sadan, Kotla Marg, New Delhi – 110002

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rti.delhi.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) is the state transmission utility for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, functioning under the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD). DTL owns and operates Delhi's high-tension electricity transmission network — the 400 kV, 220 kV, and 66 kV transmission lines and grid substations that carry bulk power from generating stations and the national grid to the bulk supply points from which distribution companies (discoms) draw power for retail supply to homes and businesses.

DTL also administers the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), which manages real-time grid operations, monitors transmission line loading, and coordinates dispatch to maintain grid stability across Delhi.

Delhi Transco Limited is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. Its records — including transmission line route data, substation capacity and loading figures, grid failure incident reports, EMF safety assessments, and contracts for transmission projects — are subject to RTI.

This guide is for residents near high-tension towers, civic groups investigating area-wide outage causes, and anyone seeking data on Delhi's transmission infrastructure. If your concern is an electricity bill dispute, meter issue, new connection delay, or complaint about a discom — file RTI with your discom or DERC, not DTL.

Delhi's Electricity Ecosystem: Who Does What

Understanding which body to approach is essential before filing an RTI. Delhi's electricity sector has three distinct layers.

Issue / Query	Correct Body	RTI Portal	Second Appeal
Transmission line route, tower location, RoW corridor	DTL	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Substation capacity, load data, grid-level outages	DTL / SLDC	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
EMF safety near high-tension towers	DTL	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Transmission project contracts and tenders	DTL	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Area-wide outage (affecting entire colony/division)	DTL (if bulk supply failure)	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Electricity bill dispute, meter reading error	BSES Rajdhani / BSES Yamuna / Tata Power Delhi	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
New electricity connection delay	BSES Rajdhani / BSES Yamuna / Tata Power Delhi	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Local feeder-level outage, street-level distribution fault	BSES Rajdhani / BSES Yamuna / Tata Power Delhi	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Electricity tariff orders, service standard violations	DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission)	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC
Discom performance data, tariff petitions, DERC orders	DERC	rti.delhi.gov.in	DIC

All of DTL, the discoms, and DERC are Delhi State entities. RTI for all of them is filed at rti.delhi.gov.in and second appeals go to the Delhi Information Commission (DIC), not the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Common RTI Use Cases with DTL

Issue	What to Ask DTL	What the Response Helps Establish
High-tension tower near residential colony	Route alignment plan, RoW corridor width, distance from residential boundary	Whether tower is within or outside safe distance standards; basis for formal complaint or petition
Frequent area-wide outages	Substation outage records, grid failure incidents for last 12 months	Whether bulk supply (DTL's responsibility) or distribution (discom's responsibility) is the cause
Overloaded substation	Rated capacity vs. actual peak load for each month; augmentation plans	Whether DTL's infrastructure is under-provisioned; basis for DERC complaint or PIL
EMF safety concern near towers	Whether EMF study was conducted; EMF values recorded; safety standards adopted	Whether DTL has assessed EMF risk and whether values are within limits
Transmission project affecting area	Contract/tender details, contractor name, scope, timeline, completion status	Whether a project is sanctioned and being executed; basis for monitoring or accountability
Complaint about tower hazard not acted upon	Whether complaint was received, reference number, action taken	Official record of DTL's response (or non-response) to a safety complaint

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

1. Transmission line route and tower proximity data

Ask for the approved route alignment and right-of-way (RoW) plan for the transmission line passing near your colony, the recorded corridor width, the distance of the nearest tower(s) from the residential boundary, and the voltage level of the line (400 kV, 220 kV, or 66 kV).

2. Substation capacity and load data

Ask for the installed transformer capacity (in MVA) of the relevant grid substation, the actual peak load recorded at that substation for each month of the requested period, and whether the substation has been recorded as operating beyond its rated capacity during that period.

3. EMF safety assessments

Ask whether DTL or SLDC has conducted any electromagnetic field (EMF) measurement or safety study for the transmission towers near your colony; the EMF values recorded at the tower base and at the boundary of the nearest residential area; the safety limits or standards adopted by DTL for EMF exposure near residential zones; and a copy of the study report or its summary.

4. Grid failure and outage incident reports

Ask for a record of all transmission-level outages, grid failures, or supply interruptions originating from or affecting the specified grid substation during the requested period — including for each incident: the date and time, duration, cause recorded, sections or feeders affected, and corrective action taken.

5. Contract and tender information for transmission projects

Ask for the details of any contracts or tenders awarded by DTL for construction, augmentation, or maintenance of the transmission line or substation in your area in the last five years — including the contractor's name, contract value, scope of work, and current completion status.

6. Action taken on complaints about transmission tower hazards

Ask whether DTL has received any complaint or representation from residents of your colony regarding a transmission tower or line; the date of receipt and complaint reference number; the action taken or under consideration; and the name and designation of the officer who reviewed the complaint.

Where to File

Delhi Transco Limited is a GNCTD body. File at rti.delhi.gov.in — do not file at rtionline.gov.in, which is for Central Government bodies.

Go to rti.delhi.gov.in and log in or register with your mobile number or email
Select Delhi Transco Limited as the public authority. If your query is specifically about real-time grid operations data held by SLDC, note that SLDC functions under DTL — you can address the application to DTL and mention SLDC in the body of the application
Draft your application — include the name of the relevant colony or area, the grid substation name (if known), the voltage level and designation of the transmission line (if known), and the specific period for which data is sought
Pay ₹10 online using net banking, debit card, or UPI. BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee
Submit and note your registration/acknowledgement number for tracking

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): If DTL does not respond within 30 days, or if the response is incomplete or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at DTL within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. The FAA is typically a senior officer designated above the CPIO at DTL.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the First Appeal is not resolved satisfactorily, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. DTL is a company under the Government of NCT of Delhi — it is a Delhi State body. The second appeal goes to the DIC (established under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2005), not the Central Information Commission. The DIC has the power under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty on the PIO and recommend disciplinary action for unjustified non-disclosure.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Delhi Transco Limited (DTL),
Shakti Sadan, Kotla Marg,
New Delhi – 110002

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Transmission Line Route, Substation Outage Data and EMF Safety Near [Colony/Area Name]

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address, Delhi], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information relating to Delhi Transco Limited's high-tension transmission infrastructure in and around [Colony/Area Name], [District], Delhi.

Reference details:
  Colony / Area Name: [Name of Residential Colony / Locality]
  Nearest Grid Substation: [Name of Substation, if known — e.g., Mehrauli Grid Sub-Station / Okhla Grid Sub-Station]
  Transmission Line Reference: [Line designation if known — e.g., 220 kV Bamnauli–Okhla line / or describe as: the high-tension transmission line passing near/through (Colony Name)]
  District: [Name], Delhi

Information sought:

1. The approved route alignment / right-of-way (RoW) plan for the [220 kV / 66 kV / 400 kV] transmission line passing through or near [Colony/Area Name] — including the recorded corridor width, the distance of the nearest tower(s) from the residential boundary of [Colony Name], and whether this line is part of DTL's existing network or a proposed/under-construction project.

2. The capacity (in MVA) and current load data (percentage of rated capacity) of the [Substation Name] Grid Sub-Station for the period [Month/Year to Month/Year], and whether the substation has been recorded as operating beyond its rated capacity (overloaded) during this period.

3. Records of all transmission-level (bulk supply) outages, grid failures, or supply interruptions originating from or affecting the [Substation Name] Grid Sub-Station during the period [DD/MM/YYYY to DD/MM/YYYY] — including for each incident: the date and time, duration, cause recorded, sections/feeders affected, and the corrective action taken.

4. Whether Delhi Transco Limited or SLDC has conducted any Electromagnetic Field (EMF) measurement or safety study for the transmission line / towers near [Colony Name] — if yes: (a) the date and scope of the study; (b) the EMF values recorded at the tower base and at the boundary of the nearest residential area; (c) the safety standards / limits adopted by DTL for EMF exposure near residential zones; and (d) a copy of the study report or summary.

5. The details of any contract(s) or tender(s) awarded by DTL for construction, augmentation, or maintenance of the transmission line or substation in [Colony/Area Name] / [Substation Name] in the last five years — including the name of the contractor, contract value, scope of work, and status of completion.

6. Whether DTL has received any complaint, representation, or petition from residents of [Colony Name] regarding the proximity of a transmission tower or transmission line to their residences — if yes: (a) the date of receipt; (b) the complaint reference number; (c) the action taken or under consideration; and (d) the name and designation of the officer who reviewed the complaint.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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