Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir has completed 40 per cent of its smart electricity metering project under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with over 3.81 lakh meters installed across the Union Territory since 2024, officials said.

The smart meter initiative originally began in November 2020 with a pilot plan to install 20,000 meters in parts of Jammu and Srinagar. The first phase expanded significantly and concluded in 2022 with 1.5 lakh installations. The second and third phases are currently underway with a combined target of more than 9.50 lakh meters to be completed by 2026.

The progress report was presented during a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, where he reviewed ongoing reforms in the Power Development Department aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening infrastructure and reducing power losses under RDSS.

Officials said the total number of meters installed so far stands at 3,81,671 against the target of 9,50,755. Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited has installed 1,87,894 meters from its sanction of 7,62,872, while Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited has set up 1,93,777 meters against its target of 7,27,855. Authorities described the rollout as a step toward a transparent and customer-friendly power distribution system.

Under the RDSS, work worth Rs 4,709 crore has been earmarked for power loss reduction and Rs 1,053 crore for smart metering. The tasks have been split into several project packages and assigned to four agencies: JPDCL, KPDCL, Powergrid Energy Services Limited and NTPC. Each agency is expected to complete its share within the scheduled timelines.

Progress in loss reduction and information and operational technology work stood at 74 per cent for JPDCL, 73 per cent for KPDCL, 57 per cent and 33 per cent for PESL in Kashmir and Jammu, and 72 per cent and 31 per cent for NTPC across the two divisions.

Officials informed the meeting that Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses have dropped from 58 per cent in 2022 to around 32 per cent at present. The target is to reduce losses further to 12 per cent by 2028. The ACS-ARR gap has narrowed from Rs 3.11 to Rs 1.29 per unit, billing efficiency has risen from 56 per cent to 69 per cent and collection efficiency has improved from 75 per cent to 94 per cent, reflecting better financial and operational performance.

Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasised that all reform projects linked to loss reduction must be completed within the time period set by the central government under RDSS. He directed departments to work with daily and weekly targets covering LT cable replacement, distribution system upgrades, HT line cabling, conductor replacement, feeder segregation and installation of poles.

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He also sought improvements in feeder-wise billing and revenue collection and called for strict disciplinary action against officials found neglecting their duties. He instructed the divisional commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct monthly progress reviews and identify field-level staff who fail to deliver.