New Delhi

The Power Ministry’s ambitious target of installing 25 crore smart meters by FY26, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), seems to be a difficult task, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy has said.

The committee, which took oral evidence from Power Ministry representatives on October 15, 2024, said it felt that fund utilisation under RDSS has been “sub-optimal”. The report of the committee was placed before Parliament on Tuesday.

The committee also note that 130.94 lakh smart meters have been installed in the country so far

“Considering the present pace of installation of smart meters, the target of installation of 25 crore smart meters by the year FY26 seems to be a difficult task,” it pointed out.

The panel observed that around 51 per cent of the sanctioned smart meters and 75 per cent of the sanctioned infrastructure works have been awarded. However, only 12 per cent of the overall physical progress has been achieved till date and the balance

Distribution infrastructure

Projects worth ₹2.62 lakh crore for distribution infrastructure and smart metering works have been sanctioned which includes 19.79 crore smart consumer meters, 52.18 lakh smart OT meters and 1.88 lakh smart feeder meters.

Since only about 16 months are left as the sun-set date for RDSS is March 31, 2026; the committee recommended that the Ministry should expedite the implementation of the scheme so that stipulated targets are achieved within the given timeline, it added.

Some of the main constraints faced in speedy installation of smart meters includes awareness towards adoption of new technology at the consumer and utility level.

Delay in tendering and award of smart meter works by the utilities as well as developing a dedicated IT team at distribution utility level having knowledge of smart meters are other critical issues.

The panel said that there is an urgent need to create awareness about smart meters among the masses as support of the people is of utmost importance in making implementation of a programme successful.

“The Ministry should closely monitor the progress of the work related to installation of Smart Meters and take prompt remedial action on various complaints and other related issues so that targets set in this regard are achieved without any delay,” it suggested.

Awareness programmes, preferably in vernacular language, should be initiated in order to enhance awareness for adoption of smart meters at the consumer level, it also recommended.