. Mumbai. MahaeNews. Special Representative.
In order to make the electricity distribution system smart in the state, 1 crore 66 lakh customers will be fitted with smart electricity meters through Mahavitaran in an improved distribution area scheme worth Rs 39,602 crore. Due to the installation of these smart meters, customers will get accurate electricity bills, thus the distribution loss of Mahavitaran will be reduced and the revenue will increase. As a result, the customers will get quality and uninterrupted power supply, informed Mr. Vijay Singhal, Chairman and Managing Director of Mahavitran. The state government has recently approved the improved distribution sector scheme worth 39 thousand 602 crores to make the electricity distribution system smart in the state.
Out of this, an estimated provision of 11 thousand 105 crores will be made for smart metering of distribution networks and power lines along with consumers. In this scheme, it is proposed to install smart meters for a total of 1 crore 66 lakh consumers of all categories, 4 lakh 7 thousand distribution blocks and 27 thousand 826 electricity channels. In view of the rapid industrial development of the state and the resulting urbanization, an improved distribution area plan will be implemented by Mahavitra to strengthen the power system so that future electricity demand can be properly planned, and customers can get accident-free and quality power supply.
Along with smart prepaid metering for customers, smart prepaid meters will be installed for commercial, industrial and government customers, distribution transformers and feeders will be communicable and compatible metering for advanced metering infrastructure system. Apart from this, Mr. Vijay Singhal has said that 11 thousand 105 crores have been allocated for the works like metering of unmetered channels and making the existing meters online.
Under this scheme, these smart meters will be installed to 37 lakh 95 thousand 466 consumers in Amrit city division with more than 15 percent commercial and technical losses. 2 lakh 67 thousand 703 smart meters will be installed in rural areas and 26 lakh 67 thousand 703 customers in other urban areas apart from Amrit city section where commercial and technical losses are less than 15 percent. These smart meters will also be installed at 26 lakh 95 thousand 716 customers with all commercial, industrial, government and high pressure electricity consumption. Also, it has been planned to install 233 thousand 820 non-agricultural distribution switchboards and 27 thousand 826 distribution power lines of 25 KVA capacity in these divisions. All these works are to be completed by December 2023. Apart from this, by March 2025, these smart meters will also be installed at 55 lakh 38 thousand 585 electricity consumers in Amrit city where the commercial and technical loss is less than 15 percent.
Apart from the Amrit city section where the commercial and technical loss is up to 25 percent, smart meters will be provided to 16 lakh 60 thousand 946 customers in rural areas and 1 lakh 76 thousand 687 non-agricultural distribution grids of 25 KVA capacity in this section will be smart metered to a total of 1 crore 66 lakh customers and 4 lakh 7 Shri.Vijay Singhal has also said that it is proposed to install smart meters in 1000 distribution networks and 27 thousand 826 electricity channels.
