NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 03 (NVI) The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has achieved a significant milestone by enrolling two lakh consumers into its prepaid metering system, marking a new era of energy consumption management in the region.
This advancement gives consumers greater control over their electricity usage, allowing them the flexibility to recharge their meters whenever needed and pay solely for the power they consume.
In a press statement, Er. Shabir A. Khan, Chief Executive Officer of IT&C at KPDCL, highlighted the key benefits of this shift to prepaid billing, noting that consumers can now actively manage their electricity expenditure and avoid the surprise of high, unexpected bills. “With prepaid meters, users can monitor their daily consumption via the Bill Sahuliyat mobile app and make adjustments accordingly,” he stated, crediting his team for the achievement.
To date, KPDCL has installed 3.11 lakh smart meters under the PMDP (Prime Minister’s Development Package), with plans to convert all these meters into prepaid mode. Additionally, 6.85 lakh more meters will be installed under the RDSS (Reforms-based and Results-linked Distribution Scheme) in areas that remain uncovered, further enhancing the Discom’s efficiency in providing error-free billing, rebates, and real-time power usage monitoring.
Emphasizing the advantages of prepaid metering, Er. Shabir Khan explained that consumers would receive timely alerts when their credit is running low, allowing them to recharge their meters before experiencing power interruptions. “Recharge can be done easily online or at designated locations,” he added.
In a consumer-friendly move, KPDCL also assured that prepaid users would not face remote disconnections during public holidays, weekends, or outside of office hours (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM), providing ample time for consumers to recharge their accounts.
For KPDCL, this shift to prepaid billing is a win-win, ensuring improved cash flow through advance payments and easing the financial burden on the government. By eliminating manual intervention in meter readings and bill distribution, the company is embracing a more streamlined and efficient way of managing resources.
This milestone reinforces KPDCL’s commitment to modernizing the power distribution network and providing a more transparent, flexible, and consumer-centric approach to energy consumption. (News Vibes of India)
