In 2 years, 78% Faridabad power connections to get smart meters

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Faridabad, July 8

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has set a target to replace around 78 per cent of old power meters with new smart meters in the next two years.

To curb thefts

• Equipped with the GPS technology, prepaid smart meters are expected to curb the incidence of power thefts and complaints about wrong meter reading and inflated bills.
• As the smart meters are connected with the DHBVN control room, consumers can also monitor readings that will be downloaded automatically in the system. Besides, these prepaid and postpaid meters can be recharged anytime.
• Besides, the installation of smart meters will help in cutting down working capital costs as well as expenses incurred in the existing process of billing.

Naresh Kakkar, Superintending Engineer, DHBVN, said the process had been underway to replace 5.30 lakh old meters within the next two years.

Of these, the department has already replaced around 69,401 meters (13.09 per cent) in the Faridabad circle so far — 67,805 single phase and 1,596 three phase equipment, according to sources in the DHBVN.

Another 44,089 meters would be replaced in the next one year, said an official. He said the department had received around 1,09,657 smart meters so far.

The project is being implemented in a total of five subdivisions, but the pace of work remains dependent on the availability of the meters. Meanwhile, the department is also offering a rebate of five per cent on bills generated through the prepaid smart electricity meters.

Equipped with the GPS technology, prepaid smart meters are expected to curb the incidence of power thefts and complaints about wrong meter reading and inflated bills, say officials.

As the smart meters are connected with the DHBVN control room, consumers can also monitor readings that will be downloaded automatically in the system. Besides, these prepaid and postpaid meters can be recharged anytime.

“The installation of smart meters will help in cutting down working capital costs as well as expenses incurred in the existing process of billing, reduce chances of thefts and offer advance receipt of payment,” said another official, who said the rebate was in consonance with the directions issued by the Union Ministry of Power.

The ministry has also suggested state discoms to offer discount in bills in view of the benefit of the prepaid meter scheme. It is reported that the cost of replacement, which ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 would be borne by the DHBVN.