Smart Meters to Curb Power Theft in Kolhan

Kolhan residents to receive smart meters to combat electricity theft.

Jamshedpur and other Kolhan regions are set to get smart meters to reduce electricity theft and improve monitoring.

JAMSHEDPUR – In a bid to curb electricity theft, smart meters will be installed in homes across Jamshedpur and the Kolhan region.

These smart meters will alert the headquarters if tampering is detected, leading to immediate disconnection and theft detection.

The Kolkata-based agency, Messrs Wintech India Limited, has been awarded the tender for this project.

The agency is responsible for the design, manufacture, finance, and operation of the smart meters before transferring the project to the electricity department after a set period.

The agency will implement the project under a default model and has been provided with the necessary instructions by the electricity department.

Currently, Jharkhand faces a 31% line loss due to electricity theft, with Kolhan specifically experiencing a 25% line loss.

The goal is to reduce this to 15% over the next five years by installing smart meters in consumers’ homes.

In the urban areas of Kolhan, which include Jamshedpur, Mango, Ghatshila, Adityapur, Seraikela, Chakradharpur, and Chaibasa, a total of 2,79,471 single-phase smart meters and 16,838 three-phase smart meters will be installed.

Additionally, 265 commercial consumers with less than 100 kW usage will receive smart meters.

The agency will be paid Rs 97 per single-phase meter and Rs 265 per HT line meter installed, while regular consumers will receive the meters free of charge.

"If everything goes as planned, the installation will commence in December," stated Shravan Kumar, GM of Jamshedpur Area Board.

He added that the work order will be issued after the agency agrees to the terms.