Thousands of power consumers waiting for months as Himachal electricity board fails to buy new meters

 3,500 such consumers in Chamba district alone

The Newz Radar

CHAMBA: In a setback to the ambitious plan of installing smart meters across Himachal Pradesh, thousands of people who have applied for new connections find themselves in a predicament for months as the government has been struggling to initiate the procurement process.

The delay has led to a shortage of both smart and digital meters, leaving residents in limbo and forcing them to repeatedly visit state electricity board offices in the hope of getting their issue resolved.

The Chamba unit of the electricity board, which caters to around 70,000 consumers of Chamba, Churah and Bharmour constituencies, has been grappling with a surge in demand. About 3,500 consumers in the district have been making frequent visits to the board’s office, only to be turned away with the explanation that there is a shortage of electricity meters.

Despite daily applications for new meter installations flooding the department, the electricity board cites its inability to fulfill these requests. Sources said many consumers are facing prolonged inconveniences as their damaged meters remain unchanged and they being told to pay average bill.

Pravesh Kumar, executive engineer of the electricity board in Chamba, acknowledged the challenge and assured the consumers that the board was “actively taking steps to address the issue”.