The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that over 12.36 lakh smart meters have been installed across the Union Territory under various power sector reforms aimed at improving billing efficiency and reducing transmission losses.
Replying to a query by MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the government said a total of 12,36,507 smart meters have been installed by the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
According to official figures, JPDCL has installed 6,27,492 meters across the ten districts of Jammu division. The highest number has been installed in Jammu district at 3,04,468, followed by Rajouri (60,981), Samba (58,707), and Udhampur (57,320). Installations have also been completed in Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban and Reasi.
In the Kashmir division, KPDCL has installed 6,09,015 smart meters. Srinagar accounts for the largest share at 2,39,147 meters, followed by Baramulla (87,732) and Anantnag (77,943). Other districts covered include Pulwama, Budgam, Bandipora, Kupwara, Shopian, Ganderbal and Kulgam.
The government further stated that 1,600 smart feeder meters have been installed on 11 KV feeders in Jammu division to strengthen monitoring and distribution management.
For implementation of the project under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), RECPDCL has been appointed as the Project Implementation Agency by the Ministry of Power. Contracts for installation have been awarded to firms including Techno Electric Ltd, Anvil Cables and Genus Power Solutions in Jammu, and Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd and Anvil Cables Pvt Ltd in Kashmir.
The government clarified that the smart meters conform to national technical standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Central Electricity Authority and are not exclusive to Jammu and Kashmir.
