DGVCL to begin with Government offices first

27 May 2024 CW Team

After severe protests by the people, the Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company (DGVCL) has announced its decision to commence the installation of smart meters at government and semi-government offices.

It was stated that over 11,000 smart meters have been already installed in the city, with approximately 18 lakh new smart metres being ordered by DGVCL, expected to be installed within the next 18 months.

Yogesh Chaudhary, the Managing Director of DGVCL, clarified the billing details concerning several individuals who had claimed higher billing amounts. He explained that in individual cases, there had been no increase in usage or billing amounts.

He stated, "The confusion in most cases pertains to the adjustment of outstanding dues. Charges for usage between the last billing date and the date of smart meter installation are being deducted from the payments made by the customers."

He further added, "Upon examination of the bills of those opposing the smart meters, it is evident that their usage is consistent with that of the previous summer, and they are being charged the same amount. The metres are functioning properly, and there is no cause for concern."

It was mentioned that customers are expected to receive a 2% rebate for pre-payments made. State discoms have approached GERC with a proposal to incentivize customers. An official explained, "It's a form of discount that the discoms are offering to customers for making advance payments. With smart meters, customers need to pay before usage."

An official noted, "There has been a sudden surge in complaints following the dissemination of misinformation on social media."

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..