Gurgaon residents reluctant to pay extra for smart power

The Smart Grid project, tipped as a solution to Gurgaon’s power woes, is facing another hurdle as residents have opposed the state government’s proposal to levy an extra surcharge for supplying electricity under the project.

The Smart Grid project, tipped as a solution to Gurgaon’s power woes, is facing another hurdle as residents have opposed the state government’s proposal to levy an extra surcharge for supplying electricity under the project.

The Smart grid project aims to supply 24 hours uninterrupted power through an integrated system in which power cables and feeders will be laid underground. (HT File Photo)

The proposal to charge 50-55 paise per unit for domestic consumption and 60 paise as reliability surcharge has been moved to the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) for final nod.

The commission will seek feedback from consumers about the proposal but residents have decided to oppose the move. They claim to be already paying a high price for electricity supply that they almost never get.

“We are not in favour of any additional charges as charges levied now have no justification. How can they charge extra by simply creating a new project?” Brij Mohan Mehta, executive member of Qutab Enclave residents’ welfare association, said.

The Smart grid project aims to supply 24 hours uninterrupted power through an integrated system in which power cables and feeders will be laid underground. There will be smart electricity meters for two-way communication, and power thefts, and transmission and distribution losses will be cut down.

Officials saying that it will take over a decade to cover the entire city had already dealt a blow to the project.

Residents say they are paying more than `8.50 per unit for supply from power discom Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and levying a surcharge will only put them under more financial pressure.

“Why should we pay more when we are already paying a large sum for electricity?” Sunil Yadav, president of Palam Vihar residents’ welfare association, said. He said that the electricity open camp on July 12 was used as a platform to assess the public’s mood about a surcharge.

Managing director of DHBVN Arun Kumar Verma said the proposal for levying a surcharge is with the HERC and any decision will be taken only after consultation with the public.