In view of the power distribution companies incurring heavy losses due to unbilled consumption and unlawful usage, ‘smart meters’ would soon be installed in the State’s urban areas to curb meter tampering and power theft.
The State Government would instal smart meters on a pilot basis in Sambalpur and Rourkela For Sambalpur, the Government would procure 4,500 prepaid meters.
“The purpose of installing smart meter is to put a check on meter tampering. The prepaid smart meters will have digital cards which can be recharged like mobile phones, DTH service, etc. We can detect tampering and the suspect’s meter can be stopped remotely,” Energy Dibya Shankar Mishra said on Monday.
Based on the result of the system in these towns, the model would be replicated across the State, he said.
Notably, smart meters consist of two units: the metering device, which is with the distribution or utility company and a display unit that is installed at the consumer’s house.
The distribution firms can detect unusually heavy demand, which may point to tapping of wires.
The Governments of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, New Delhi and Puducherry have already implemented this system.
