Indian Railways to install smart prepaid meters in all railway colonies and premises
The Railway Board has issued a new order to replace old electricity meters with smart and prepaid meters across all its premises. This move includes railway colonies, staff quarters, and offices of private contractors. The goal is to modernize power management and stop manual reading errors throughout the network.
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Who will be affected by the new smart meter rule?
The mandate applies to all railway establishments across the country. This includes staff quarters, vendor shops, restaurant outlets, and union offices. The official order signed by Nisha Manohar Patil on 19 June 2026 replaces the previous policy from 2020, which had initially kept staff quarters out of the first phase.
What are the benefits of this digital system?
The new system will provide real-time data on power use, reducing the need for manual intervention. Users can monitor their electricity consumption through an Android phone and recharge their meters digitally. This will help in preventing power theft and ensure transparent revenue collection for the railways.
Key details of the smart meter implementation
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Order Date | 19 June 2026 |
| Applicable Areas | Staff Quarters, Vendors, Offices, Restaurants |
| Payment Mode | Prepaid via Digital Gateways |
| Monitoring | Centralized Energy Monitoring System |
| Complaint System | Railway Bijli Samadhan App (by 30 June) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can railway staff recharge their electricity meters?
Users can recharge their prepaid meters using a mobile app and various digital payment gateways. They can also monitor their daily consumption directly through their Android phones.
What happens if someone tampers with the smart meter?
According to official statements, any attempt to tamper with the smart meter will send an immediate alert to the central control room for action.