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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
2k power thefts found as consequence of ‘contentious' smart meter drive?
Bhopal: Nearly two thousand cases and crores worth of power thefts were discovered in Bhopal in the process of replacing old electricity meters with new and sporadically contentious smart meters, unearthing large-scale tampering as a consequence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials now claim that smart meter installation, which has been facing sporadic protests in the city, has turned out to be a potent tool against power theft but critics question if the theft could've been identified sooner and more directly by levying penalties independently. The development comes at a time when protests have broken out in parts of the city over smart meters, with consumers alleging inflated bills and even meter malfunction. In one such case in Kolar last month, a consumer alleged a meter caught fire on its own, but a subsequent technical probe found external tampering, and the discom had sought police action. Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company (Central Discom) has so far installed over 3.35 lakh smart meters across its jurisdiction, and during the testing of 2.87 lakh old meters removed from eight districts under the Bhopal region, 2,382 were found to be tampered with using resistors and other tricks to suppress consumption. Similarly, in the Gwalior region, 48 meters out of 47,286 checked were found faulty. In total, 2,430 tampered meters were detected, and discom raised bills of more than Rs 4.92 crore against the accused consumers. Of this, over 1,439 consumers admitted to manipulation and deposited more than Rs 2.45 crore. Discom officials said the cases prove that smart meters not only ensure accurate consumption recording but also help deter energy theft. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The installation drive is going on at a fast pace, and old meters being replaced are simultaneously tested in NABL-accredited labs. Wherever tampering is found, penalties are being levied," an official said. Smart meters have run into some trouble in the city but officials maintain that resistance to smart meters is largely concentrated in theft-prone pockets such as the old city, Chhola, and Bhanpur, while in other areas, consumers are benefiting from transparent billing. Against a target of five lakh installations in Bhopal, 1.89 lakh meters have been fitted, with nearly 1,000 being added daily, officials added. The company clarified that of 547 complaints received so far regarding smart meters, not a single one was found valid by them. It has also assured consumers that if they feel bills are on the higher side, complaints can be filed and verified.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Smart meter users save 78L on July electricity bills
Bhopal: Smart meter users in the state capital collectively saved Rs 78.65 lakh on their July electricity bills under the Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff scheme, the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company (MKVVCL) said on Monday. The benefit reached 88,180 consumers in Bhopal alone, out of a total of 1,24,701 across the company's jurisdiction, who together claimed Rs 1.08 crore in rebates. The rebate, introduced under the new tariff order, offers a 20% discount on electricity consumed between 9 am and 5 pm, excluding any govt subsidy. It applies to eligible consumer categories under specific rules and conditions. In a media workshop held in the city, MKVVCL deputy chief general manager (City Circle) BBS Parihar said 1,96,026 smart meters were already installed in Bhopal City Circle, adding that "smart meters eliminate manual reading, ensure accurate billing, and help consumers track their power usage in real time." Parihar explained that with data updating every 15 minutes via the 'Upay' app, consumers can monitor daily, weekly or monthly consumption, predict upcoming bills, and identify wastage. He stressed that billing errors significantly reduced, and power theft prevention improved. The company installed over 3 lakh smart meters across 16 districts in the past year. "Not a single major glitch was reported," Parihar said, urging more residents to cooperate in installation drives. Officials said the ToD discount is also available to qualifying public water works, street lighting and industrial consumers during off-peak hours. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
