Palamu to install 60k smart electric meters

Daltonganj: Palamu administration has launched an initiative to install 60,000 smart meters in urban areas, with 3,500 installations already completed, according to executive engineer electricity (EEE) Santosh Kumar.
The smart meters will enable users to monitor electricity usage and recharge accounts in real-time, similar to mobile phone recharging. Addressing concerns about higher bills, Kumar emphasized, "There is no scope of any high billing. Users will receive advance notifications when their balance is low."
Urban areas, defined as human settlements within 1km radius of either the national highway or prakhand office, are the primary focus of this installation drive. The new system eliminates the need for consumers to visit collection centres for bill payments.
The initiative comes as Palamu prepares for severe summer conditions, where temperatures can reach 44.8°C. During these months, electricity consumption typically triples due to increased use of fans, coolers, and air conditioners, leading to frequent power-related issues including wire burnouts, transformer failures, and circuit breakdowns.
To address these challenges, the electricity department has implemented preventive measures. "We are trimming tree branches that rest on electricity wires," Kumar explained. "Transformers are being filled with oil top-up to handle increased loads, and dysfunctional wires in single and double circuits are being isolated and replaced."
The department is also tackling the issue of electricity theft, particularly the 'electricity bypass' phenomenon more prevalent in urban areas. This illegal practice involves tampering with meters to prevent usage registration while consuming electricity, especially during summer nights.
"Theft of electricity is a serious offence," warned Kumar. "We will first counsel users to avoid such practices. However, raids will be conducted and criminal cases filed against those found stealing power."