The Electricity Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration will roll out a series of public awareness camps on prepaid smart meters across Sri Vijaya Puram and surrounding areas as part of ‘Smart Meter Pakhwada’ from February 19 to 23. The initiative is being conducted under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme with the objective of familiarising consumers with the functioning, benefits and usage of smart metering technology.
According to the department, multiple camps and public interaction programmes will be organised at divisional, sub-divisional and site offices of the electricity wing, covering a wide geographic spread to ensure maximum outreach. The locations include offices of superintending engineers, executive engineers, assistant engineers and junior engineers, enabling consumers to engage directly with field-level officials responsible for power distribution and billing.
Officials associated with the programme indicated that the awareness drive is aimed at addressing common consumer concerns regarding prepaid smart meters, including billing transparency, recharge processes and consumption tracking. With smart meters increasingly being positioned as a core reform in the power distribution sector, the department has sought to proactively explain how the system works and how consumers can manage their electricity usage more efficiently.
During the camps, consumers will be educated on the operational aspects of prepaid smart meters, including methods of recharging, available payment options and real-time monitoring of electricity consumption. Demonstrations will also be conducted on the use of mobile applications designed to help consumers track usage patterns, receive alerts and raise service-related queries or grievances.
Department officials noted that smart meters are intended to enhance transparency in billing by providing accurate, real-time data on electricity consumption, thereby reducing disputes and estimated billing. The system is also expected to improve operational efficiency by minimising manual intervention and enabling faster detection of faults, outages and irregular consumption patterns.
The awareness programmes are being positioned as interactive sessions, allowing consumers to seek clarifications and voice concerns directly to officials. Authorities have emphasised that consumer participation is critical for the smooth rollout of smart metering infrastructure, particularly in addressing apprehensions related to technology adoption and changes in billing mechanisms.
The Electricity Department has appealed to all electricity consumers to actively attend the awareness camps and cooperate with field staff during the implementation phase. Officials believe that informed consumers are better equipped to utilise smart meters effectively and to benefit from features such as usage control, budgeting and timely alerts.
The Smart Meter Pakhwada forms part of a larger push under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme to modernise power distribution systems, reduce losses and improve service delivery. Through sustained engagement and awareness-building, the department aims to ensure that the transition to smart metering is smooth, transparent and beneficial for both consumers and the utility.
