Kullu. In Himachal Pradesh, the work of installing smart electricity meters has started from Shimla and Dharamshala and has also started in Kangra, Solan and Sirmaur districts. Smart electricity meters will also start being installed in Kullu district. In such a situation, the work of installing this smart meter is being done in 2 phases in 4 divisions. In this, consumers have been identified for installation of meters in 4 divisions of Kullu, Manali, Thalout and Keylong.
Superintending Engineer in Kullu Electricity Board, Superintending Engineer RS Thakur said that the process of installing smart electricity meters is currently being done in the first phase only. In this, work is being done to replace meters of feeders, transformers, government offices and high consumption users. However, in the second phase, domestic meters will also be replaced with smart meters. In such a situation, a list has been made of how many consumers’ meters are to be changed under Phase 1 in all four divisions.
How many connections will be changed in the first phase
Section Engineer RS Thakur said that there are a total of 80833 consumers in Kullu division and meters of 15810 consumers are to be changed in the first phase. There are total 48377 consumers in Manali division. Out of which 11933 connections are to be given smart meters. Out of total 8506 consumers of Keylong division, smart meters will be installed for 4491 consumers. Also, out of 52427 consumers of Thalout division, 12728 meters will be replaced. In such a situation, in the first phase, old meters of a total of 44962 consumers will be replaced with smart meters. After that, in the second phase, these smart meters will gradually be extended to all domestic consumers.
How many smart meters have been installed so far?
Superintending Engineer RS Thakur said that so far 1255 single phase electricity meters have been replaced in Manali division in the first phase. Whereas in Kullu, 507 such meters have been replaced with new smart meters. At the same time, 19 meters of 3 phase have been replaced in Kullu and 28 meters in Manali. In such a situation, work is being done to gradually identify the places and replace these meters with smart meters.
What will be the benefit of installing smart meter?
· After installation of smart meters, consumers will be able to see the electricity consumption in real time and this will prevent wastage of electricity and consumers can also manage their bills.
· You must have seen many times that estimated readings were given during billing, but now you will get accurate bill based on consumption and the possibility of mistakes in the bills will be greatly reduced.
· Importantly, smart meters can detect and prevent attempts at electricity theft.
· You can recharge the smart meter at any time sitting at home like a phone and now you will not have to visit offices to get the bill deposited.
· The smart meter will have the facility of load management and if there is excess power consumption, an alert will be received and later the power supply will also be stopped. The meter will do real time monitoring and will stop the supply if electricity is used more than the prescribed load. These meters are also installed on the feeders of the electricity board.
· You can view various information like balance, electricity consumption and transactions through a mobile app from the registered mobile number.
It is worth noting that these meters are being installed in other areas of the country too, but complaints of getting higher bills are also being received. Apart from this, any technical glitch also poses a problem in solving it. The biggest question is whether the department will be able to prepare its old employees for this modern technology.
How will people benefit from installing smart meters?
Section Engineer RS Thakur said that installation of smart electricity meters will not only prevent electricity theft but will also help in load management. He told that with the installation of smart meter, there will be a record of consumption in real time. Initially these bills will remain postpaid through the meter. But in some time, these can also be prepaid through mobile application. In such a situation, people will also get help in managing their bills. People will be able to recharge their smart meter through mobile phone. Which will be a limit for the month. In such a situation, people can manage their electricity bills by reducing their electricity consumption by seeing their consumption in real time.
