New Delhi: In a major move to overhaul Delhi’s water distribution and billing systems, the Delhi government is reportedly planning to implement smart meters across the city. The step is expected to streamline operations of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), address long-standing issues of billing inaccuracies, and boost the utility’s revenue collection.
Manual Billing System Fails to Deliver
Currently, around 1,000 meter readers are responsible for monitoring approximately 26.5 lakh water consumers spread across 41 DJB zones. Officials from DJB have stated that the existing manual water meter reading system is inefficient, with readers often submitting outdated or incorrect meter images. This has led to a surge in inaccurate bills and a large number of underpaid or unpaid dues, significantly affecting the financial health of DJB. In addition, the billing software in use does not reflect previous arrears or give a breakup of old dues, which has further discouraged many consumers from paying their bills.
Following a review of these issues, Delhi’s water minister, Parvesh Verma, directed DJB to overhaul the billing system urgently.
Smart Meters: A Technological Leap Forward
Smart meters, described as a game-changer in water utility management, offer a real-time and accurate record of water usage. Unlike traditional meters that require manual reading, smart meters automatically transmit consumption data to the utility provider, minimizing human error and eliminating the role of intermediaries.
Officials confirmed that the introduction of smart meters would remove the need for support agents and touts who are often accused of accepting bribes to manipulate billing records. A new mobile application is also under development, which will simplify the payment process for consumers.
Waiver Scheme to Precede Smart Meter Rollout
The implementation of smart meters will follow the introduction of a bill waiver scheme aimed at addressing the issue of inflated water bills. According to estimates, nearly 16 lakh out of 27 lakh water consumers in Delhi have received inflated bills in recent years. In October and November 2022 alone, DJB received over 10,000 complaints related to faulty billing on its portal.
A senior official said the upcoming scheme will be a one-time amnesty and reduce domestic water bill arrears by up to 90%. He added that consumers who fail to settle their dues under this scheme will not be given another opportunity. The main factors contributing to inflated bills include the accumulation of old arrears and late payment surcharges, which will be waived under the plan.
Revenue Boost Expected from Amnesty Scheme
The waiver scheme is projected to significantly benefit DJB, with potential earnings of approximately Rs. 2,500 crore. Officials stated that once the amnesty scheme is successfully implemented, the smart meter rollout will commence.
These upcoming initiatives are expected to enhance transparency and make water billing more consumer-friendly in Delhi.
