MCG finalises smart water meter pilot project in Gurugram

Gurugram's Municipal Corporation is launching a pilot for smart water meters to enhance billing accuracy and reduce tampering, benefiting local residents.

Gurugram:The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has finalised a pilot project to introduce smart water meters to improve billing accuracy.

Photo for representation (Hindustan Times)

Officials said 230 residents of Suncity township in Sector 54 and 30 from Sushant Lok Phase 1 will participate in the project. The move comes amid concerns that conventional mechanical meters are prone to tampering, leading to inaccurate records.

Officials said the project’s cost estimate is being prepared, after which tenders will be floated.

Smart water meters provide real-time and highly accurate measurements, unlike conventional mechanical meters which rely on manual readings.

“The project may take three to four months to complete. All factors will be carefully considered before making a decision,” said Pradeep Kumar, executive engineer, MCG.

“The benefit of smart water meters is that you pay for what you actually use. In many cases it also leads to a 5–10% reduction in bills,” he added. Additionally, the issue of ‘water mafia’ has been persistent in the city, often forcing residents to pay extra for water tankers.

Kusum Sharma, chairperson of the Suncity residents’ welfare association (SRWA), said, “Many households still use mechanical meters, which can be easily tampered with and lead to arbitrary charges. Some homes have no meters at all and residents pay rates set by the MCG.”

“MCG will bear the cost of smart water meters and it will be deducted by adding approximately ₹100 on the monthly invoices,” she added.

MCG officials said they are collecting data on water supplied to households from them, from the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), and the irrigation department to monitor water flow to consumers. Earlier this year, MCG officials also visited Odisha for a training session on modern water management practices.