New Delhi: A Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) poll on the rollout of smart metering in India has revealed broad optimism about the technology and its potential benefits. Respondents emphasised the need for clear regulatory mandates, greater consumer empowerment through data visibility, accurate billing, and faster grievance redressal.

Commenting on the findings, Secure Meters Group CEO Suket Singhal, who also chaired the CII Taskforce on Smart Metering in 2024-25, said: “The most significant outcome of this poll was the need to improve consumer engagement. By ensuring that the experience of prepayment in electricity equals or is better than mobile telephony or DTH, we as an industry will be able to deliver on its promise to customers.”

“Once consumers have been adequately trained, they will remain engaged, and at the level of grassroots politics, the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) will become acceptable,” he added.

The poll, conducted over the past two months among participants of the 3rd CII Smart Meter Conference, explored infrastructure, project challenges, consumer awareness, security and potential improvements.

While most respondents described India’s current smart metering infrastructure as average, 41% had a positive outlook. Key challenges identified included outdated utility infrastructure causing interoperability and data management issues, unreliable connectivity in remote areas, regulatory hurdles, slow procurement processes and low levels of awareness regarding billing and privacy concerns.

Singhal said consumers were seeking a better overall experience. “What consumers are asking for is a better experience, which can be provided by ensuring everyone gets to pay what they can, when they can,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of cybersecurity, noting that all systems must be designed with security in mind and supported by strong data privacy safeguards. Additionally, he underlined the need to modernise distribution grids for both short- and medium-term success.

“RDSS is one of the world’s best smart metering constructs. We, as an industry, need to deliver this to the nation,” he said.

 

IANS inputs