Complete 100% installation of smart meters with no further delay: MD KPDCL

SRINAGAR — Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Yasin Choudhary on Friday took a review meeting of the implementation and progress of Smart Metering Projects and other allied issues of the Distribution wing of KPDCL.

A review meeting was held between the officials of KPDCL (Distribution) and officials of Anvil Cables and Techno Pvt Limited (TKCs), a statement issued to the news agency KNO reads.

The slow progress of installations of smart meters in various districts of Kashmir was seriously viewed by Managing Director, KPDCL and strict directions were issued by the chair.

Physical installation of smart meters under phase II allotted to Techno Pvt. Ltd. was discussed and directions were issued to the concerned TKC to mobilize teams by the end of April 2023 for the installation of smart meters.

Instructions were also passed on to TKCs to increase a lot of smart meters raised for inspection at their manufacturing plant. Both TKCs were directed to increase the number of smart meter installations per day to a figure of around 500.

Chair directed the TKCs to increase the workforce at IT&C Bemina Data Centre for better IT-sub div Coordination. Directions were also issued to various Executive Engineers/SDOs to curb the menace of power thefts, especially in arrears where smart meters are already installed.

Superintending Engineer of Circle II was directed to issue various numbers of dismantled energy meters to pertaining divisions so that the concerned SDO can utilize the dismantled energy meters for flat-rate consumers

Installation of Smart Metering in industries was also taken up during the meeting and the concerned sub-Divs were directed to complete 100% installation with no further delay.

Managing Director issued necessary instructions to IT&C Bemina and concerned TKC/TKCs to kick start the Prepaid Option of Smart Meters within two days and the minimum number of connections must not be lower than 500.

The chair was apprised about the auto disconnect feature of smart meters and MD, KPDCL directed the concerned IT department to implement the feature and initiate the process to disconnect all those defaulters that haven’t paid the bill from the past three months by the 5th of every month with strict compliance.

TKCs were directed to take up bulk metering as issued in earlier directions and to mobilize more workforce in district Pulwama, Ganderbal, and Anantnag.

All Executive Engineers along with SDOs were directed to take up ROW issues with district administration so that resentment faced by the concerned TKCs during the installation of smart meters is barely reduced to a minimum.

Executive Engineers and concerned SDOs were asked to take strict action and impose heavy penalties for those that have tampered with the smart meters or in the case are resorting to illegal hooks.

TKCs were directed to replace burned-out RF mode meters with GPRS-type Smart Meters, wherever the former is not available due to technical reasons.