The days of manual meter readings, pending bills, and electricity theft may soon be over. The Indian government is preparing to implement new rules related to smart electricity meters, allowing one-click power disconnection for defaulters. Once the new system is live, consumers will need to recharge their smart meters like mobile phones to continue using electricity.
In a move towards modernizing power distribution, smart prepaid meters are being installed across several divisions. Under this initiative, 74,000 smart meters will be deployed in Gajraula division alone, of which 8,000 have already been installed.
These meters function similarly to prepaid mobile services. Consumers will have to recharge their meters through online portals or mobile apps, and electricity usage will depend on the amount recharged. The meter will automatically stop supplying electricity when the balance is exhausted.
Until now, power disconnections required on-ground staff to physically visit the premises and disconnect supply—often involving climbing poles or ladders. But with the smart system in place, electricity to a defaulter's home can be disconnected remotely through a single click from the control center.
This upgrade not only reduces manual labor but also enables real-time monitoring and immediate action in case of non-payment.
Smart meters are equipped with tamper-proof and theft-detection technology. Any attempt to bypass or tamper with the meter sends an alert directly to the control room. This feature is expected to drastically reduce electricity theft and improve revenue collection.
Moreover, complaints regarding inaccurate billing or high readings will likely diminish, as the billing will now be automatically generated based on real-time usage, and sent directly to the consumer’s mobile.
Consumers won’t have to bear the installation cost of smart meters. The electricity department will install them free of charge at consumer premises. According to officials, recharges can start from ₹50 and can go up to ₹500, ₹1000, or more, depending on individual usage patterns.
Consumers can recharge online, eliminating the need to visit billing offices. Currently, the meters generate automatic bills, and full prepaid functionality will be introduced soon after successful testing.
To ensure a smooth rollout, around 1700 test meters have been installed for performance monitoring. The department assures that no major issues have been found so far. Once the pilot phase is successful and no errors are reported, the prepaid and remote disconnection features will be fully activated.
According to XEN Neeraj Kumar, the smart meters are embedded with the latest technology to prevent misuse and provide convenience to both the consumer and the department.
The smart meter initiative is not just a technological upgrade but a transformational change in electricity management. With automation, transparency, and real-time data, this move could significantly enhance the efficiency of power distribution and billing, while empowering consumers with better control over their electricity usage.
