Smart Meters and Hidden Leaks: MSEDCL Explains Surge in Power Bills Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has clarified that the recent rise in electricity bills for many consumers is due to the accurate measurement of electricity consumption by smart meters, which now capture previously undetected losses such as hidden leakages, faulty wiring, and minor power losses that older meters overlooked. The utility attributed the increase in bills to both the higher electricity demand during the summer months and the transition to smart meters, which provide a more precise record of usage. According to MSEDCL, smart meters are capable of recording even small amounts of electricity consumption that older meters failed to capture. These include losses caused by poor earthing, internal leakages, and other unnoticed electrical inefficiencies within homes. Bharat Pawar, MSEDCL’s chief public relations officer, explained that the shift to smart meters has led to more transparent billing, as consumers now see the full extent of their electricity usage, including previously unaccounted losses. "The biggest reason for higher bills is the sharp increase in electricity consumption during summer," Pawar said. "Older meters did not record leakages or small consumptions, which led to losses for MSEDCL. Smart meters now detect and record every small loss, giving consumers an accurate reflection of their usage." Pawar also highlighted that many consumers may be unaware of the electricity drawn by appliances in standby mode, such as televisions and air-conditioners, which continue to consume power even when switched off. He emphasized that the new meters provide a more comprehensive view of consumption patterns, which could explain the perception of higher bills among some users.#maharashtra #electricity_bills #smart_meters #masedcl #bharat_pawar
ITI shares surge 15%, post best day in 14 months amid spike in trading volumes Shares of the state-run telecom equipment and smart meters maker ITI posted their best day in over a year on Monday, March 16, in a highly volatile trading session. ITI shares rose as much as 15%, its biggest intraday gain since January 6, 2025, to hit an intraday high of ₹279 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). On the BSE, ITI shares also jumped 15% amid a sharp spike in trading volumes. The surge followed a dramatic increase in trading activity, with the stock’s volume jumping 167 times to over 5.38 crore shares compared to an average of 3.22 lakh shares. On the BSE, 34.78 lakh shares were traded, far exceeding the average of 25,000 shares in the past two weeks. The sharp rise in ITI shares came despite the company’s recent financial performance, which included a net loss of ₹25 crore in the third quarter of the current financial year, compared to a loss of ₹49 crore in the same period last year. Revenue from operations dropped 50% to ₹515 crore, down from ₹1,034 crore in the year-ago period. However, ITI reported stable operational performance, with EBITDA at ₹26 crore, compared to an EBITDA loss of ₹11 crore in the previous quarter. The surge in ITI shares also coincided with broader market movements, as the NIFTY 500 index closed lower by 0.65% at 1:30 pm. ITI shares traded 9% higher at ₹264.85, outperforming the benchmark index. Separately, a parliamentary panel has urged the power ministry to accelerate the installation of smart meters across the country. The report highlighted that the pace of smart meter deployment has fallen far below targets, with only 5.83 crore meters installed by February 15, 2026, against a government target of 25 crore by March 2025.#parliamentary_panel #bse #national_stock_exchange #iti #smart_meters
