SSupongmeren Jamir chaired the first DEC meeting in Dimapur to review the progress of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme power project.
DIMAPUR — Over 21,500 smart consumer meters have been installed in Dimapur under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), while power infrastructure works worth around INR 459.22 crore have been sanctioned for the district.
The figures were highlighted during the first meeting of the District Electricity Committee (DEC), Department of Power, held at the deputy commissioner’s (DC) conference hall in Dimapur on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament S Supongmeren Jamir.
According to a DIPR report, the Department of Power made a PowerPoint presentation on the RDSS, a central initiative aimed at improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply, strengthening distribution infrastructure, reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, and improving the financial sustainability of the sector.
The committee reviewed smart metering, loss-reduction works, installation and upgradation of transformers, 11 kV and 33 kV lines, reconductoring, cabling, and the electrification of left-out households. For Dimapur, sanctioned works include new and upgraded 11 kV lines, distribution transformers, reconductoring of 11 kV and 33 kV lines, and HT cabling, with a total sanctioned cost of around INR 459.22 crore.
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During the meeting, the implementation of smart metering under RDSS was discussed in detail, alongside ground-level challenges. Jamir sought clarification on difficulties faced during installation, noting that some consumers were reluctant to accept the new meters. The committee highlighted the need for greater consumer awareness and effective coordination to facilitate smooth installation.
Reviewing the progress of smart metering across the state, the committee was informed that 3,17,210 consumer meters, 6,276 DT meters, 24 boundary meters, and 368 feeder meters had been awarded under the scheme. In Dimapur, 76,368 consumer meters, 1,574 DT meters, three boundary meters, and 52 feeder meters were awarded, with 21,568 consumer meters, 386 DT meters, and 44 feeder meters installed as of August 14.
Quality assurance measures, including field inspections by two flying squads headed by Superintending Engineers, were also reviewed.
The meeting also assessed the Rooftop Solar (RTS) component under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. A total of 826 RTS applications had been received through the National Portal, of which 473 installations had been completed, with a total installed capacity of 1.58 MW.
Reviewing the financial progress of RDSS, the committee noted that as of August 12, INR 115.84 crore had been released and utilised under the Government of India component, while INR 13.55 crore had been released and utilised under the state component.