Verified: 15 April 2026 05:31 pm IST
Industry: Electricity Distribution (State PSU)
Jurisdiction: Visakhapatnam & Eastern Coastal Districts, Andhra Pradesh, India
Primary Regulator: Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC)
Important Safety Warning: Beware of the massive “Disconnection SMS Scam.” Scammers frequently send SMS or WhatsApp messages stating: “Dear Consumer, your electricity power will be disconnected tonight at 9:30 PM because your previous month’s bill was not updated. Please call our officer immediately.” This is a scam. Authentic APEPDCL staff will never send alerts from a personal 10-digit mobile number, nor will they ask you to download screen-sharing apps or pay via personal UPI links.
Level 1: Customer Support (Initial Complaint)
How to complain: Register your complaint (power outages, billing issues, transformer faults) directly via the APEPDCL official web portal, the Eastern Power mobile app, or by calling their 24/7 toll-free centralized helpline at 1912 or 155333. You can also report outages and send meter photos directly via their official WhatsApp helpline at +91-9493681912.
Availability: The 1912 helpline, WhatsApp support, and emergency outage reporting operate 24x7. Official customer service centers operate Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM IST.
Timeline: Standard service requests must be acknowledged immediately. APEPDCL aims to resolve general supply issues within 24 to 48 hours and standard billing complaints within 7 working days.
Source Verification: APEPDCL Official Portal
Level 2: Internal Escalation (Grievance Redressal Officer / SE)
Who to contact: If Level 1 support fails or your ticket is closed without a fix, you must formally escalate to the Internal Grievance mechanism. You must submit a written complaint to the Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADE) or the Superintending Engineer (SE) of your specific APEPDCL circle (such as Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, or East/West Godavari).
Timeline: Under APERC guidelines, the Circle officers must resolve escalated billing and supply disputes within 15 to 30 days.
Source Verification: APEPDCL Complaint Handling Procedures
Level 3: Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF)
Authority: If the Superintending Engineer rejects your claim or fails to resolve the issue, you must file a formal petition with the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). APEPDCL has established a CGRF specifically to act as a quasi-judicial body for consumer electricity disputes across the eastern districts.
Portal/Contact: You must submit your grievance in writing, via email, or via the online portal to the Chairperson of the APEPDCL CGRF located at their corporate headquarters: P&T Colony, Seethammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530013.
Timeline: The CGRF is legally mandated to hear the case and issue a formal order within 45 to 60 days of receiving your petition.
Source Verification: APEPDCL CGRF Petition Portal
Level 4: Vidyut Ombudsman (Electricity Ombudsman)
Pre-Litigation: Do not use the e-Jagriti consumer court portal, the National Consumer Helpline (NCH), or CPGRAMS. Standard consumer courts and central portals do not have jurisdiction over statutory electricity disputes unless the Ombudsman process is completely exhausted.
Court/Arbitration: If you are aggrieved by the order of the CGRF, or if they fail to issue an order within the stipulated time, you must file an appeal representation to the Vidyut Ombudsman appointed by the APERC.
Timeline: You must file the appeal to the Ombudsman within 30 days from the date of receiving the CGRF order.
Source Verification: Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC)
Community Action: Is APEPDCL demanding massive arrears for a faulty meter, or are you looking for the correct template to file a case with the Visakhapatnam CGRF? Reply below (do not share your passwords, bank details, or your exact Consumer Service Numbers), and our citizen.complainthub.org community will point you to the right resources!