Power department to install new meters to check pilferage

Kolkata: In a bid to cut down power theft and check pilferage , the state power department has started installing smart meters for West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) consumers.

“We have set up a target to install such meters for 1.7 crore consumers. New connections are  being given through smart meters,” state power minister Sovondeb Chattopadhyay said on the sidelines of 31st Indian Engineering Congress organised by The Institution of Engineers.

The minister said complaints from a number of  consumers using old meters prompted the move. “The technology will be smart so that any hooking or pilferage can be monitored directly from a centralised server. We will be gradually  replacing the old meters with these smart ones,” he added.

According to Mr Chattopadhyay, the new meters will also contribute in bringing down pollution. “Our government’s aim is to ensure uninterrupted supply of good quality power with less pollution. For this we are also focussing on the use of solar power.”

The minister further said that in recent times a number of foreign companies from countries like Japan, China, Korea, Europe and South Africa have come and met me and have discussed on using devices that causes less pollution in power sector. “We need advice and suggestions from engineers like you for developing the power sector,” he added.