Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 18: Maharashtra has crossed the milestone of installing 1.50 crore smart electricity meters, reaching nearly half of its target under the ongoing programme to replace conventional power meters with advanced digital devices, officials said on Thursday.
The large-scale rollout is being implemented by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, along with BEST, Adani Electricity and Tata Power.
Officials said many of the newly installed smart meters replaced faulty conventional meters that were either recording incorrect readings or underreporting electricity consumption. The drive has also focused on replacing so-called “zero meters” that showed no electricity usage despite active power supply.
According to officials, at least 1,000 such zero meters have been replaced, with the new devices now reflecting actual consumption levels.
The state government clarified that the current programme does not involve prepaid electricity meters and that all installations so far are standard smart meters.
Despite the progress, the initiative has faced resistance in some parts of the state, particularly in Mumbai. Consumers have alleged that smart meters are being installed without adequate consultation and, in some cases, have accused utility personnel of entering premises without consent.
Sources said several complaints have been lodged, with at least a dozen FIRs reportedly filed by consumers in Mumbai's island city area. The issue has also been taken up by Shiv Sena (UBT), which has voiced concerns over the implementation process.
In response to the criticism, authorities said efforts are being intensified to educate consumers about the benefits and functioning of smart meters. Awareness campaigns are being conducted through social media, SMS notifications, housing society meetings and public outreach programmes.
Officials said smart meters allow consumers to monitor electricity consumption in real time and access detailed usage information on an hourly, daily and monthly basis. Users can also track projected monthly consumption, compare current usage with historical data and benchmark their consumption against nearby consumers.
The system additionally provides alerts regarding unusual spikes in electricity usage, enabling consumers to identify and manage excessive consumption more effectively.
For power utilities, officials said the technology offers significant operational advantages, including real-time monitoring of the distribution network, improved detection of electricity theft, reduction of technical losses and faster identification of faults.
The smart meter infrastructure is also expected to improve grid reliability and reduce outage durations by enabling quicker responses to disruptions.
Authorities further indicated that the technology could facilitate the future introduction of Time of the Day (ToD) tariffs, under which consumers may be charged different rates depending on the time of electricity usage, encouraging consumption during off-peak hours and potentially lowering electricity bills.
Officials said the smart meter programme forms a key part of Maharashtra’s efforts to modernise its power distribution network and improve efficiency across the electricity sector.