Smart Meters to Transform Rural Electricity Supply in Bihar: Features, Benefits Explained

Residents in rural areas under the Bikramganj electricity supply division in Bihar’s Rohtas district will soon benefit from the installation of smart prepaid meters. This initiative aims to offer greater convenience and reliability for electricity consumers in these areas.

The new smart meters feature a special push button designed to tackle mobile network issues. This button enables consumers to manually reconnect their meters if necessary, ensuring a continuous power supply without interruptions.

Assistant Electrical Engineer Raj Kumar noted that a dedicated mobile app has been developed to facilitate the operation and monitoring of these smart meters. The app provides real-time information on electricity consumption and account balance. When a consumer’s balance is low, they can quickly recharge and reconnect their meter through the app. This technology allows users to effectively manage their electricity usage and maintain an uninterrupted service.

The new smart prepaid meters being installed in rural areas come with a handy push button designed to assist consumers during network outages. By pressing the button for 10 seconds, users can activate an internal command to reconnect their meters, ensuring they continue to receive electricity if their balance is sufficient.

This feature is part of a broader initiative by the Bihar government to replace outdated meters with advanced smart prepaid models. Kumar explained that these new meters are being installed at the main entrances of consumers’ homes, simplifying both monitoring and maintenance. The transition is being carried out smoothly by authorised department personnel to minimise any inconvenience for consumers.

The Assistant Electrical Engineer has issued a stern warning regarding the smart meter installation process. Consumers who obstruct this process may face legal action under Sections 8.2 and 8.6 (C) of the Bihar Electricity Supply Code. Additionally, power supply to the premises involved may be disconnected.

This warning aims to encourage consumer cooperation to ensure a smooth transition to the new smart meters, allowing everyone to benefit from the upgraded service without disruption.