Amid the statewide smart meter row, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has undertaken the installation of prepaid or smart meters for electricity consumers across Gujarat. An official associated with GUVNL has clarified some of the misconceptions regarding the technology.

According to the official, if only the meter shows a balance of -₹300, the electricity supply will be cut off between 10 am and 4 pm. Thereafter, when it is recharged, the electricity supply will resume within 15 minutes.

As per the official, the installation of approximately 1.65 cr smart meters is on the cards in Gujarat. Over the past three months, the four companies under GUVNL have replaced 47,500 meters, with MGVCL replacing 27,700, DGVCL 11,800, PGVCL 7,000, and UGVCL 1,000 meters.

The company aims to install prepaid meters across the state by March 2025. However, agricultural connections are excluded from this project.

They further reason that the direct benefit of smart meters is that individuals can access their meter reading and remaining balance from anywhere.

Several conditions are put in place by GUVNL for power cuts to ensure consumers are not inconvenienced. The company will refrain from cutting the electricity supply at night and on holidays.

These smart meters add a communicative capability to the regular conventional meters. Consumers can download a mobile application to access their balance and usage. Moreover, this app provides a recharging portal where consumers can make payments using a UPI ID, QR code, or through the application itself.

The smart meter will also send reminder messages to consumers regarding their available balance and recharge due dates.

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