MSEDCL officials meet society groups to overcome resistance against new meters

Pune: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) officials have started meetings with housing societies and residents' groups to address concerns and clear misconceptions about smart electricity meters.Consumers have been objecting to the new meters claiming that the electricity bills of those who have installed the new meters have suddenly increased.
On Saturday, MSEDCL officials met housing society members in Moshi, one of the areas in Pimpri Chinchwad where the utility encountered strong opposition and was unable to replace meters. Residents and members of the housing societies' federation reportedly prevented officials from entering their premises, objecting to the installation of the new meters.A senior MSEDCL official told TOI, "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."An official from the Pimpri division said, "We are also conducting awareness campaigns through banners, hoardings and interactions with community groups to clear consumers' doubts. The efforts have been effective so far." Sanjeevan Sangale, chairman of Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies' Federation, who attended Saturday's meeting, said the interaction helped clear doubts. "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 added that he urged MSEDCL officials to hold similar detailed interactions with housing societies wherever there is resistance to break the deadlock. The utility plans to eventually replace all existing electricity meters with smart meters.10L Instruments In Pune Division According to MSEDCL data, there are around 10.5 lakh electricity meters across Pimpri Chinchwad, some 5.5 lakh in Bhosari division and 5 lakh in Pimpri divisionOf these, 2.8 lakh meters (1.5 lakh in Bhosari and 1.3 lakh in Pimpri) have been replaced with smart meters so far in a drive that began around eight months agoIn the Pune division, of the total 38 lakh meters, around 10 lakh have been converted to smart metersMSEDCL is conducting a two-week awareness campaign on smart meters up to Feb 23 in Pune divisionquote 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 An MSEDCL official