Reportedly, the Maharashtra cabinet has approved a Rs 450 billion scheme to revamp the entire electricity distribution network of the state.
The project has three parts – upgrading distribution infrastructure, installing smart meters and digitalising the distribution system. The state government will implement the project under the central government’s revamped distribution sector scheme (RDSS), under which 60 per cent of the project cost will be borne by the centre. The scheme will be executed by two electricity distribution companies – Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) at a cost of Rs 396.02 billion and 34.61 billion, respectively. MSEDCL plans to install around 16 million smart metres on all connections barring agricultural consumers. The aim is to reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses and improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability of the discoms. The deadline for the project is 2024-25.