Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, known as Mahavitaran, has launched a statewide drive to install Smart TOD meters aimed at improving billing accuracy and reducing consumer complaints. The initiative is being promoted through an awareness programme called Smart Meter Fortnight, observed from nine February to 23 February, and installation work is reported to be underway in several areas including the Nashik Road region. The meters are designed to transmit consumption readings directly to Mahavitaran servers, reducing the need for manual meter reading.

A tariff concession approved by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission is expected to benefit domestic consumers who use electricity between nine am and five pm. The concession has been set at Rs zero point eight to Rs one per unit and is intended to help households reduce monthly costs, particularly for those with higher daytime usage. Mahavitaran has clarified that there is no installation charge for the smart meters and that they will operate on a postpaid basis.

Officials have addressed misinformation suggesting that smart meters could lead to higher electricity rates, stating that the technology will increase transparency and ensure consumers pay only for actual consumption. The meters are expected to be particularly useful for households adopting solar power systems under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme, as they will allow more accurate tracking of generation, consumption and grid supply. Replacement of old or faulty meters has been described as a routine and legal process supported by central government grants without creating a loan burden on consumers.

In the Nashik Circle alone, over zero point five five seven million (mn) Smart TOD meters have already been installed. This figure is said to include more than zero point two five five mn meters in Nashik Circle, 78,762 in Malegaon Circle and over zero point two two three mn in Ahilyanagar Circle, covering domestic supplies, government allocations, defective meter replacements and new connections. Officials indicated the large scale rollout is expected to improve service delivery, reduce disputes and encourage more efficient electricity usage across Maharashtra.