TNPDC hesitant to install prepaid meters

08 Nov 2024 CW Team

While the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Company (TNPDC) remains hesitant to implement prepaid smart meters, many consumers have expressed support for the idea. The Union Power Ministry has recommended TNPDC consider adopting prepaid meters to offer consumers greater flexibility and convenience.

In a recent meeting, Union Minister for Power and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, urged TNPDC officials to explore both prepaid and postpaid options, suggesting special benefits for those who opt for prepaid meters. Tamil Nadu’s Electricity Minister, V. Senthil Balaji, highlighted the state's current position on the matter.

TNPDC officials noted that of the 3.5 crore electricity consumers in Tamil Nadu, many benefit from subsidies, including free electricity for 2.75 crore households and 25 lakh farmers. Adopting prepaid meters could complicate subsidy distribution and require a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

However, T. Sadagopan, president of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre, argued that a prepaid system would allow consumers to manage payments similarly to DTH or mobile recharges, thus eliminating deposit burdens. He urged TNPDC to implement both prepaid and postpaid options to cater to diverse consumer needs.

S. Nagalsamy, former member of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, suggested that the prepaid system could help TNPDC recover payments in advance, which would be beneficial given the utility’s current debt of ₹1.5 lakh crore. He recommended simplifying the tariff system under the new model and offering incentives for prepaid users.

TNPDC has not yet committed to implementing prepaid meters but is planning to introduce postpaid smart meters by 2027. Currently, 1.25 lakh smart meters have been installed in T Nagar, Chennai, as part of a smart city project.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Nov 2025

Concord Control Systems Limited Reports ~85% YoY Growth in H1 FY26

Concord Control Systems Limited (BSE: CNCRD | 543619), India’s leading manufacturer of embedded electronic systems and critical electronic solutions, announced its unaudited financial results for the half year ended September 30, 2025.Financial Highlights – H1 FY26 (YoY Comparison)Revenue from Operations rose to ₹815.45 million, up from ₹497.53 million in H1 FY25, marking a 63.90% year-on-year growth.EBITDA increased to ₹217.34 million, compared to ₹142 million in the same period last year.EBITDA Margin stood at 26.65%, compared to 28.54% in H1 FY25, with the decline attributed to ..

Gateway Distriparks Announces Q2 FY25 Results

Gateway Distriparks Limited (GDL), one of India’s leading multimodal logistics providers, announced its financial results for the quarter ended 30 September 2025.For Q2, the company reported total revenue of INR 154.8 crore (H1: INR 316.9 crore), EBITDA of INR 20.56 crore (H1: INR 45.65 crore), PBT of INR –4.23 crore (H1: INR –0.28 crore), and PAT of INR –2.91 crore (H1: INR –0.37 crore). The company stated that these numbers reflect the consolidation of accounts following Snowman Logistics transitioning from an associate company to a subsidiary in December 2024.Commenting on the per..

Last-Mile Connectivity a Prime Focus, Says Ms. Ashwini Bhide,

The IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMC) hosted a high-impact Managing Committee session today on the theme “Mumbai Metro: Transforming Connectivity and Commuting.” The session featured an insightful address by Ms. Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL), who shared updates on key transport infrastructure developments across Mumbai and the MMR region.Emphasising the city’s critical economic role, Ms. Bhide noted, “Mumbai is the economic powerhouse of Maharashtra, with more than 95% of the region’s population living in urban areas. As Maharas..