PVVNL to introduce prepaid meters by June end

Pankul Sharma | TNN
Meerut: In a bid to curb line losses and power thefts, Pashchimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL) is likely to introduce prepaid electricity meters within next two months. In the first phase, the meters would be installed at makeshift shops, roadside vends and at the apartments of government officers.
PVVNL director (technical) Alok Verma told TOI, “Just like telecom companies, we are going to provide prepaid meters to costumers.Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed discoms to expedite the process of distributing such meters at government institutions using less than 45 kw of power. Any consumer with a prepaid meter will also be entitled to a discount of 1.25%.”
Verma added that in the first phase (by June end), meters would be distributed across 14 districts falling in Meerut, Moadabad, Ghaziabad and Saharanpur zones. These devices will be fitted in offices of PWD, district magistrate, police officers, judicial officers and jal nigam. Besides, at the residential apartments of the top government officers, prepaid meters will ensure that an outgoing officer clears his dues before vacating the premises.
“Prepaid meters will benefit not only those who pay their bills honestly, but also discoms. The huge amount of lines losses will be reduced. Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL) has purchased 15,500 single-phase prepaid meters and 18,550 three-phase meters for all five discoms in UP. 5,000 single-phase and 4,000 three-phase meters will be given to us. If we get a good response from this initiative, we will ask for more meters. This will also make sure that people do not misuse electricity and that the frequency and time of power cuts is reduced,” Verma said.
According to sources in the power department, line loss has become one of the biggest challenges facing discoms in UP and is one of the biggest causes of power theft. Elsewhere, line loss is assumed to be between 6-8%, but many districts in UP face up to 40-45% line loss.
Verma said, “Prepaid meters will be installed outside the house, but a push button connected to it will be placed inside the house and it will show the units consumed/remaining. Based on the readings, consumers will be able to regulate their consumption. The meters will even have a buzzer to alert consumer about pending recharge.”