Power Department’s promises to revolutionize power scenario in J&K has been a flop show as of now as the much-hyped smart metering project is at a standstill. The smart metering is probably not been initiated anywhere in J&K as the department is not yet ready to start the process.
The government had promised back in October last year that it was going to install smart meters. The process for the same was to begin in Jammu and Srinagar from November 15, 2020. 20,000 meters were set to be installed in the first phase. A total of 200,000 meters were sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). These all had to be set up in a phased manner.
With the use of these smart meters, the consumers would have got to know the status of power supply and load in use even when they are away from home. Officials had said that the use of smart meters will bring transparency in metering, billing and collection. Consumers will benefit from its use in the form of reduced power losses, quality and reliable power supply. Moreover, the consumers will also have the ability to recharge their smart meters like they recharge their mobile phones. It will cut down the requirement of manual meter reading and paper bill distribution.
Officials further had said that these meters would be read remotely at the data centre in Srinagar and data recovery centre in Jammu. It will also enable the distribution corporations to be aware of the status of power supply at the consumer’s end and take action if there is a disruption in the service.
Insiders in the department have informed that this vital project has been kept in limbo and there are chances too that it could collapse. Locals in many areas had objections to the installation of these meters because of frequent power outages. The Power Department also should have made sure that the areas wherein the smart metering were being planned get uninterrupted power supply.
An official said that PDD has totally failed in implementing this project. Funds for this project would lapse in the coming March and 57000 smart meters which are purchased for this project will rot in the godowns.
