Smart Meter project on hold; state awaits Centre’s nod

SHILLONG, Feb 2: The Smart Meter project in Meghalaya has come to a standstill as the state government is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Power to proceed with the installation.
The delay primarily revolves around financial concerns, with the quoted price for installation exceeding the state’s estimated budget.
Informing that the project has already been tendered, but the cost proposed by the contractor is significantly higher than anticipated, Power Minister AT Mondal revealed that similar pricing has been observed in other Northeastern states and they have raised the issue with the central government, seeking further discussions before moving ahead.
Stating that the matter has been placed before the Government of India, and he has personally brought it up at the Power Ministers’ Conference, Mondal stated that unfortunately, there has been no positive response so far and the Centre insists that the state proceed with implementation and that savings from the project will offset the cost over time.
Addressing concerns about the origin of the smart meters, he said strict guidelines must be followed before procurement. He said smart meters cannot be installed randomly and there are regulatory agencies responsible for approvals. He assured that all necessary checks are in place. On public apprehension regarding the accuracy of smart meters, the minister emphasized that consumers’ interest remains a priority.
“If there are any apprehensions, we will address them and take the public into confidence,” he added.
Allaying fears of the consumers about inflated electricity bills, Mondal explained that smart meters provide precise readings of actual consumption and they will compare readings by installing smart meters alongside traditional meters.
He said while some consumers may see higher bills due to more accurate tracking, the meters are designed to reflect real usage.
Speaking about the project’s current status, the minister reiterated that while the tendering process is complete, the discovered rate—referring to the contractor’s quoted price—is considerably higher than the state’s projections.
“Although the rates match those of other Northeastern states, we have flagged this to the Ministry of Power and are awaiting further dialogue,” he added.