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Next time, if you find the meter reader fixing his or her cellphone to the meter at your home, do not be surprised. Adding to a slew of technologies incorporated by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (Cesc) Limited, it is planned to introduce ‘android-based billing’ in two to three months.
This was disclosed by Cesc Managing Director Kiran Kumar during the public hearing convened by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) at the deputy commissioner’s office, here on Saturday to elicit people’s opinion on the proposal to hike power tariff.
Kumar said that the cellphone will be connected to the meter through optical port and real time data will be transfered to the phone. “With the help of a software, even higher officials can simultaneously assess the bill being generated. The bill will be generated on the spot with the help of a printer that works on bluetooth technology,” he said.
That apart, a master mobile application is in the pipeline to improve customer-friendly services. The consumers can keep a check on the bill and request status among other services that will be introduced soon.
Automatic meter reading facility will be introduced for high-tension power (commercial) consumers who are considered as ‘bread and butter’ at Cesc, accounting for 30 per cent of revenue. It is intended at minimising manual errors and also adopt transparency in billing process.
Likewise, transformer testing benches are opened at 15 places, where transformers supplied to the government and private consumers will be tested before use for its age, profile, capacity, quality and durability. For instance, if a developer at a private layout is installing transformers, he should submit it for testing before installing. By doing so, Cesc will be saving some money, with Rs 38 crore spent on repairing transformers in the previous fiscal.
Smart grid project taken up by Cesc at VV Mohalla sub-division has been successful in rationing power supply. For 25,000 installations at VV Mohalla, 496 meters are installed. Power is supplied as per the demand.