RDSS Smart Metering Plan Covers 19.79 Crore Consumers, 2.05 Lakh Feeders

New Delhi, Aug 11 (KNN) The government has sanctioned projects worth Rs 1.31 lakh crore for smart metering under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at improving the efficiency and digitalisation of the power distribution sector, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said in the Lok Sabha.

Electricity distribution is a concurrent subject, with the operations and digitalisation of distribution companies (DISCOMs) falling under the respective state governments and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions. 

The Centre has been supporting state efforts through various schemes, including the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and RDSS.

Under RDSS, projects worth Rs 1.53 lakh crore have been sanctioned for loss reduction infrastructure and Rs 1.31 lakh crore for smart metering. The smart metering programme covers 19.79 crore consumers, 2.05 lakh feeders and 52.53 lakh distribution transformers.

RDSS Drives Digitalisation Of Power Distribution

The scheme has also sanctioned SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)/Distribution Management System (DMS) works for 394 towns at a cost of Rs 2,627 crore.

IT/OT projects, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, unified billing solutions, GIS-based systems and real-time data acquisition systems, have been sanctioned at Rs 3,999 crore.

Smart distribution projects worth Rs 8,608 crore have been approved for seven cities, covering SCADA and smart technologies, GIS substations, distribution transformer health management, undergrounding of high- and low-tension lines and system modernisation.

These projects have been sanctioned across 28 states and 45 distribution utilities. Since FY2023, Rs 47,124 crore has been released under RDSS, including Rs 2,733 crore for smart metering.

The government has also initiated the India Energy Stack (IES) to enable digital data exchange across the power sector.

IPDS Expanded IT And Smart Grid Infrastructure

Under IPDS, projects worth Rs 58,686 crore were executed, including IT enablement works under the subsumed Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP). 

These included ERP, SCADA/DMS in 59 towns, real-time data acquisition systems in 1,414 towns and installation of 6.54 lakh smart meters. The scheme closed in March 2022.

NSGM Supported Smart Meter Deployment

Under the NSGM, 1,45,343 smart meters were installed in Rajasthan and 24,214 in Chandigarh. The mission released Rs 72.27 crore before closing in March 2024.

For training and capacity building of DISCOM personnel in digital systems and related areas, Rs 100.9 crore was allocated under RDSS. Of this, Rs 23.36 crore had been utilised up to July 2026, with 14,853 personnel trained.

(KNN Bureau)