MSEDCL Initiates Dialogue with Pune Residents to Address Smart Meter Concerns
In Pune, officials from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have commenced a series of meetings with housing societies and resident groups. This proactive engagement aims to tackle widespread concerns and dispel misconceptions surrounding the installation of smart electricity meters.
Resistance to Smart Meters Over Billing Issues
Consumers have voiced strong objections to the new meters, citing sudden and significant increases in electricity bills following their installation. This resistance has been particularly pronounced in areas like Moshi, part of Pimpri Chinchwad, where MSEDCL faced substantial opposition. On a recent Saturday, officials met with housing society members in Moshi, an area where previous attempts to replace meters were thwarted as residents and federation members reportedly prevented entry to their premises.
Official Efforts to Clarify and Build Trust
A senior MSEDCL official emphasized the need for clarity, stating, "There are several misunderstandings among residents about the smart meters. We are trying to clarify their doubts so that there is no resistance and people trust the process. The meeting was meant to listen to their concerns and address them." To further this goal, the Pimpri division has launched awareness campaigns utilizing banners, hoardings, and direct interactions with community groups. An official noted that these efforts have proven effective in alleviating consumer doubts.
Positive Outcomes from Engagement
Sanjeevan Sangale, chairman of the Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies' Federation, participated in the Saturday meeting and reported a constructive outcome. "I was accompanied by representatives of several housing societies and the meeting was helpful. I was among those who strongly objected to the initiative earlier, but after understanding the concept in detail and getting our concerns addressed, I was convinced there was no point in continuing the opposition," he said. Sangale has urged MSEDCL to replicate such detailed interactions in other resistant areas to break the deadlock.
Smart Meter Installation Statistics in Pune
MSEDCL data reveals the scale of the smart meter rollout in the region:
- Approximately 10.5 lakh electricity meters exist across Pimpri Chinchwad, with 5.5 lakh in the Bhosari division and 5 lakh in the Pimpri division.
- So far, 2.8 lakh meters have been replaced with smart meters—1.5 lakh in Bhosari and 1.3 lakh in Pimpri—as part of an eight-month-long drive.
- In the broader Pune division, out of a total of 38 lakh meters, around 10 lakh have been converted to smart meters.
Ongoing Awareness Campaign and Benefits
MSEDCL is conducting a two-week awareness campaign on smart meters, scheduled to run until February 23 in the Pune division. An official highlighted the advantages of the new system, explaining, "Consumers have an application to monitor their usage online, and they can control it to reduce the bill. The number of complaints from smart meters is comparatively low when compared with the traditional meters as it is more transparent." The utility plans to eventually replace all existing electricity meters with smart meters, underscoring its commitment to modernization and improved service delivery.
