Power meters in Gurgaon go out of stock with sudden rise in demand

The city is facing a severe shortage of electricity meters as demand for new electricity connections and replacement of old meters has suddenly shot up with the onset of summer season

The city is facing a severe shortage of electricity meters as demand for new electricity connections and replacement of old meters has suddenly shot up with the onset of summers.

There has been a surge in demand for electricity meters in Gurgaon, but the supply has fallen short. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

Consumers are returning empty handed from the shops authorised to sell meters.

Electricity utility officials have expressed helplessness in meeting the demand citing less supply from the manufacturers and a sudden surge in the demand.

A senior official at the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) said there has been a tremendous increase in demand for new connections, multiple connections and replacement of old or faulty meters. The official also said that there was already a shortage of equipment but with the sudden increase, the situation has become worse than what it was earlier.

“I have been visiting the meter suppliers for the past three weeks but the standard reply is that there are no meters available. There is no assurance when the meters will be back in stock. The authorities concerned should do something,” said Pankaj Yadav, a resident of Sector 7.

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam has tied up with three firms — Genus, L&T and Secure — for supplying meters of a standard make but there is shortage of supply from all the firms, said an official.

When HT called one of the meter suppliers Ashoka Electricals at Sadar Bazar, the representative on the other side said there are no meters available at the time. He said that meters might be available within this week but did not cite any reason for the shortage.

Naresh Sangwan, a local businessman, said he has also been hunting for a meter for his newly-constructed house but is not able to shift since there is no meter which means there is no electricity supply.

Mukesh Yadav of Islampur village said he was receiving electricity bills above normal and on inquiry it was found that the meter was faulty. Yadav applied for replacement of the meter about a month ago but has not been able to get a new meter. He said his inflated bills would be adjusted only after comparison with a fresh reading from a new meter.

Superintending engineer (operations), DHBVN Gurgaon, Sanjeev Chopra said that supply from the three manufacturers is short because of the increase in demand. He said the issue is being looked into and would be resolved within a few days.

A normal household meter, authorised by the DHBVN, costs Rs 3,200.