Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], April 5: In a bid to enhance power distribution and reduce losses, smart meters are being installed in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. Electrical Engineer Vinod Dabur shared on Saturday that the installation drive, which began 2.5 months ago, is progressing well.
“We started the installation of smart meters in Poonch City, focusing first on domestic consumers, of which there are 7000. We are also implementing it in commercial establishments,” Vinod Dabur informed ANI.
Addressing concerns over potential higher charges, Dabur clarified that the billing depends entirely on electricity usage. “There is a misconception that people are being charged more due to smart meters. However, charges are based on your consumption. You can download the app to monitor your hourly and daily usage,” he explained.
Dabur also emphasized that after the installation of the meters, work on the necessary cabling will begin to minimize losses. “This initiative is part of the flagship program of the Government of India and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It will benefit most people,” he added.
As part of the ongoing installation cycle, the government has sent 1000 meters to Poonch, of which 900 have already been implemented. More meters will continue to be sent, with the entire process expected to take four to six months, including cabling work.
Noting the advantages of smart meters, Dabur highlighted that the initiative will help reduce the load on transformers and prevent conductor snapping.
According to a report by Care Edge Ratings, smart meter installations have been progressing across India, with 2 crore meters expected to be installed by January 2025. However, the report anticipates that India will fall short of its target to install 25 crore smart meters by March 2026, reaching only 25% of the goal.
The government’s ambitious plan, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aims to install 25 crore smart meters between 2021 and 2026, representing a significant investment in India’s energy sector.