As the protests against installation of smart meters continue in various parts of Srinagar, the Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDCL) Ltd Monday said there is no alternative to smart metering and that the process will continue come what may.
On Monday, many parts of Srinagar including Batamaloo, Habakadal and a few more areas of the city witnessed protests against the installation of smart meters. However, KPDCL reiterated that the process will continue and that the protests were going to yield nothing.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Managing Director KPDCL Baseer ul Haq Chowdhary said that there is no fun of taking to streets against installation of the smart meters.
“People must understand that the move is aimed to provide uninterrupted and quality power to them. The process won’t stop and every area will be covered in a phased manner,” he said.
He said that there is no alternative to smart meters. “These meters will help individuals become smarter. They will get accurate and direct readings on their mobile phones and other smart devices,” the MD KPDCL said.
About the rates per unit of electricity, the MD said that in J&K rates are far less than what they see in other states of the country. “In fact, we have the lowest rate per unit of electricity in J&K,” he said.
On frequent power cuts in some areas, the MD KPDCL said that some interruptions in the power supply may be taking place due to repair work or upgradation of the system.
“Curtailment is must as the system is frequently being upgraded and prepared for winters. If no upgrading is done, we will not be able to function,” he said. Earlier, KNO had reported that power theft due to hooking in Kashmir had come to an end in the Valley after installation of smart meters and laying of cables.
KPDCL officials have stated that in the areas where smart meters and cables were laid, power theft had come to zero.
As per KPDCL, in the first phase, 55000 smart meters installed were converted into pre-paid mode.
“Under pre-paid mode, people will pay the amount as per the power usage. The consumers can check usage on an application on their mobiles phones,” said a KPDCL official—(KNO)