Bhubaneswar: To prevent electricity thefts by consumers, the state government has decided to implement smart metering system across the state soon.
Speaking to reporters here Monday, Energy Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra said the smart meeting system will be first implemented in Sambalpur and Rourkela on a pilot basis.
In the first phase, a total of 4,500 prepaid meters would be installed in Sambalpur while smart meters will be introduced in Rourkela soon, Mishra said.
The pre-paid meters will have digital cards wherein consumers can recharge their cards as and when they require it depending upon the usage, he said.
“The main motive of introducing smart meters is it’s ‘tamper proof’. No one can tamper with the meter by slowing down the gadget using magnets or other methods,” the minister said, adding, such system will be introduced in Rourkela city in the first phase.
The smart meters can detect anyone tampering with the meters. That apart, if a consumer fails to pay the bill, we can stop electricity supply to that household directly.
“We hope this will bring in system improvement apart from helping in revenue generation. If the project gets successful and people accept such meters, we will implement it in other places as well,” he added.