Come July 1, Smart Meters Mandatory for New & Temporary Connections in BESCOM Rural Areas
Starting July 1, 2025, all new and temporary electricity connections in rural areas under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) will require the installation of smart meters.
It means the consumers will be forced to pay approximately ₹2,200 to ₹2,500 for single-phase smart meter, while three-phase meters may range between ₹5,000 and ₹6,000, depending on specifications and features.
These prices are indicative and may vary slightly across vendors.
On Friday, BESCOM has formally issued an order mandating smart meters for rural households and commercial units seeking new connections. This move follows the earlier rollout of smart meters in urban areas, including Bengaluru city, which began on February 15, 2025.
With this latest directive, BESCOM’s smart meter initiative—aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and user control—has now been extended to its rural jurisdiction as well.
Applicants can purchase the approved smart meters from BESCOM-authorized outlets.
According to an official release, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had issued comprehensive guidelines for smart meter implementation on March 6, 2024. Since then, BESCOM has been rolling out installations in a phased manner.
What makes a smart meter “smart”?
Unlike conventional meters, smart meters are equipped with GPRS/RF-based communication technology that facilitates real-time data transfer to BESCOM’s servers via cloud connectivity. They operate on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), enabling two-way communication between the consumer and the utility provider.
Consumers can track real-time electricity consumption, voltage levels, and power factors using a dedicated mobile app. They can also make prepaid recharges, allowing flexible usage and better control over energy expenses. In case of power disconnection due to non-payment, service can be restored automatically upon recharge—eliminating delays.
Officials believe that the adoption of smart meters will not only help reduce power theft and losses but also empower users with greater transparency and accountability in electricity consumption.
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