Politics · India Bureau
BEST to deploy check-meters to verify smart meter billing accuracy
Mumbai's electricity distributor BEST has announced plans to install verification meters to address mounting consumer complaints about inflated bills following its smart meter rollout. The move comes as customers report unexpected spikes in electricity charges after the modernisation initiative.
LSN India ·
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) has decided to implement check-meters across its distribution network to investigate complaints of abnormally high electricity bills since introducing smart meters. The verification system will allow officials to cross-reference consumer meter readings and identify any discrepancies in billing calculations.
According to BEST officials, the decision directly responds to widespread consumer grievances regarding sudden and unexplained increases in electricity charges following the smart meter modernisation programme. Multiple customers have reported bill amounts significantly higher than their historical consumption patterns, raising concerns about meter accuracy or calibration issues.
The check-meter system is expected to provide independent verification of consumption data and help determine whether billing anomalies stem from faulty meters, data transmission errors, or other technical issues. By comparing readings from the check-meters against smart meter recordings, BEST can isolate problematic devices and take corrective action.
The initiative represents an effort to restore consumer confidence in the smart metering system and address the credibility gap created by billing disputes. BEST has not yet specified a timeline for the check-meter installation or indicated how many verification devices will be deployed across its service area.
Consumers who believe their bills are inflated have been advised to lodge formal complaints with BEST, which will be prioritised for investigation under the new verification programme.