The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday informed that over 12.36 lakh smart meters have been installed across the Union Territory under various power sector schemes.
Replying to a question by MLA Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para, the government, per news agency said that a total of 12,36,507 smart meters have so far been installed by the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
According to official data, JPDCL has installed 6,27,492 meters across the ten districts of Jammu division: Jammu (3,04,468), Samba (58,707), Udhampur (57,320), Doda (22,591), Kathua (39,237), Kishtwar (8,742), Poonch (24,902), Ramban (24,870), Reasi (25,674) and Rajouri (60,981).
Similarly, KPDCL has installed 6,09,015 meters across Kashmir division, including Srinagar (2,39,147), Budgam (37,009), Ganderbal (15,427), Bandipora (33,728), Baramulla (87,732), Kupwara (24,839), Pulwama (50,322), Shopian (18,272), Anantnag (77,943) and Kulgam (24,596).
The government also said that 1,600 smart feeder meters have been installed on 11 KV feeders across ten districts of Jammu division.For implementation, RECPDCL has been nominated as the Project Implementation Agency by the Ministry of Power for smart metering works under the PMDP and RDSS schemes for both JPDCL and KPDCL.
The installation contracts have been awarded to multiple firms. In Jammu division, the work has gone to Techno Electric Ltd, Anvil Cables, and Genus Power Solutions Ltd. In Kashmir division, Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd and Anvil Cables Pvt Ltd, among others, are executing the project.
The government also listed the manufacturers supplying the smart meters, including Landis & Gyr, Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd, Genus, Kimble and Sinhal Udyog, with different models deployed under various phases.
Responding to another query, the government clarified that the smart meters being installed in J&K are not exclusive to the UT and adhere to standard technical specifications prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), which are uniformly followed nationwide.