Smart Meters in Surat Enable Prepaid Electricity: Pay for Power like Mobile Recharge, No Office Hassles
Smart Prepaid Meters Initiated by DGVCL in Surat, South Gujarat
The Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL), a power distribution company in South Gujarat, has commenced the installation of smart prepaid meters in Surat. The extensive project aims to install around 40 lakh smart meters across the entire city, starting from the Pipalod locality.
Once the smart meters are installed, consumers will have the convenience of accessing all meter details on their mobile devices and can recharge online. This initiative is part of the central government’s project to implement smart prepaid meters in every state.
The South Gujarat power company, DGVCL, is investing a total of INR 2636.24 crores in this project. In the initial phases, 17.73 lakh meters in homes, government offices, and transformers will be installed, followed by an additional 23.89 lakh meters in the second phase, bringing the total to over 40 lakh smart meters.
DGVCL Initiates Smart Prepaid Meters Installation in Surat
The Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL) has announced the commencement of installing smart prepaid meters in Surat. According to the information provided by DGVCL, there will be no charge for installing these meters. The project has started in the Pipalod locality and aims to install over 40 lakh digital smart meters gradually throughout the city.
After the installation of these smart meters, consumers will have the convenience of accessing all meter details on their mobile devices and can recharge online. The South Gujarat power company, DGVCL, is investing a total of INR 2636.24 crores in this project. In the initial phases, 17.73 lakh meters will be installed in homes, government offices, and transformers. In the second phase, an additional 23.89 lakh meters will be installed, bringing the total to over 40 lakh smart meters.
These smart meters will provide detailed consumption information directly on the consumer’s mobile phone, and users can conveniently recharge online.
DGVCL Introduces Smart Prepaid Meters with Consumption Alerts
DGVCL (Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited) spokesperson M.D. Yogesh Choudhary announced that customers can now check their regular recharge usage and set reminders for recharging. The facility allows customers to recharge daily, monthly, and even annually as per their requirement. Users will receive SMS reminders once their usage reaches 70% of the recharge amount. This service applies to both one-day and one-month recharge plans.
After 70% consumption, users will receive reminders through SMS on their mobile phones. These smart meters, similar to mobile phones and D2H services, can be recharged conveniently. The meter will still provide electricity for some time after a full recharge, and the connection will automatically be disconnected.
For reading, users can also use a dedicated application on their phones. Moreover, this application can be utilized for recharging, similar to mobile recharge or mobile shop recharging services. After a full recharge, electricity will be supplied for a specific duration, and the connection will automatically be restored afterward.
DGVCL to Provide Accurate Information on Power Theft
DGVCL (Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited) has introduced smart meters that will provide customers with accurate information about their electricity usage and prevent any unauthorized usage. With the implementation of these meters, power theft in the covered areas will be completely curbed. The smart meter will offer detailed insights into the consumption, revealing how many units of electricity were used and how many were supplied. This information will be crucial in detecting and preventing theft, enabling immediate action by the vigilance team.
Furthermore, the Vigilance Activity will have real-time access to this data, aiding in swift operations. The advantage of this system is not only in reducing electricity theft but also in boosting our collection, as instances of electricity theft decrease, our overall revenue collection will increase.
Benefits of Prepaid Meters
- Customers can regulate their electricity consumption, promoting energy conservation.
- Future benefits for customers with time-of-day rates.
- Freedom from standing in lines for bill payments.
- Mobile app access to monitor electricity usage.
- Various services available through the mobile app.
It is estimated that 1.64 crore smart meters will be installed in Gujarat, including:
- DGVCL – 40,78,120
- MGVCL – 32,99,991
- PGVCL – 55,83,509
- UGVCL – 35,25,480
