SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has reached a milestone by enrolling two lakh consumers into its prepaid metering system, ushering in a new era of energy consumption management in the region.
This advancement empowers consumers to control their electricity usage more effectively, providing the flexibility to recharge their meters as needed and pay only for the power consumed.
In a press statement, Shabir A. Khan, Chief Executive Officer of IT&C at KPDCL, highlighted the benefits of prepaid billing, emphasising that consumers can now actively manage their electricity expenses and avoid unexpected high bills. “With prepaid meters, users can monitor daily consumption through the Bill Sahuliyat mobile app and make necessary adjustments,” he said, lauding his team for the achievement.
To date, KPDCL has installed 3.11 lakh smart meters under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), with plans to transition all these meters to prepaid mode. Furthermore, an additional 6.85 lakh meters will be installed under the Reforms-based and Results-linked Distribution Scheme (RDSS) in areas yet to be covered, enhancing the Discom’s efficiency in error-free billing, rebates, and real-time power usage monitoring.
Shabir Khan also noted the advantages of prepaid metering, including timely low-balance alerts, allowing users to recharge before disruptions occur. He added that recharges can be done conveniently online or at designated locations.
KPDCL assured that prepaid users would not face remote disconnections during public holidays, weekends, or outside office hours (10:00 AM to 4:30 PM), providing ample time to recharge accounts.
For KPDCL, prepaid billing improves cash flow through advance payments and reduces the government’s financial burden. By eliminating manual intervention in meter readings and bill distribution, the company is streamlining its operations for greater efficiency.
