GUVNL Clarifies on misconceptions surrounding smart meters in Gujarat

VADODARA, GUJARAT : Installing prepaid or smart metres for electricity users throughout Gujarat is being done by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL). GUVNL official has clarified a few misconceptions about the technology.

The official said that between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the electricity supply will be cut off if the metre shows a balance of -300. After then, it will take fifteen minutes to restore the electricity after it has been recharged.

Gujarat intends to install 1.65 crore smart metres, the official said. Four GUVNL-affiliated enterprises have effectively replaced 47,500 metres in the past three months. MGVCL replaced 27,700 metres, DGVCL replaced 11,800 metres, PGVCL replaced 7,000 metres, and UGVCL replaced 1,000 metres.

By March of 2025, GUVNL plans to have prepaid metres installed all around the state. Regretfully, this initiative excludes agricultural links.

One benefit of smart metres, they contend, is that users can easily check their metre reading and remaining balance from any place.

GUVNL has taken a number of steps to reduce the number of power outages and spare customers from annoyance. Holidays and the midnight hours will not see the corporation cut off the electrical supply.

These smart metres enable communication capabilities, which improves the operation of standard conventional metres. Customers can download a smartphone app to easily check their consumption and balance. Furthermore, this software provides a practical means for consumers to replenish their accounts by taking payments via UPI ID, QR code, or within the app.

Consumers will receive updates from the smart metre regarding their remaining balance and approaching recharge dates.