In a remarkable achievement, Bihar, once grappling with power shortages, has emerged as a power-sufficient state, breaking records in the power sector. The installation of Smart Prepaid Meters has propelled Bihar to set records compared to other states, aligning with the vision of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Sanjeev Hans, CMD of Bihar State Power Holding Company, shared, “We are continuously setting records in Smart Prepaid Meters installation. Over 24.35 lakh smart Prepaid Meters, including 13.36 lakh in North Bihar, have been installed, with a target of 35.10 lakh meters in 13 districts, in line with the CM’s directives.”
He further highlighted Bihar’s commitment to provide 4.79 lakh connections to farmers under the Mukhyamantri Vidyut Krishi Sambandh Yojan, aiming to boost agricultural production. Already, 3.75 lakh connections have been granted under this scheme.
Farmers benefit from 12 hours of electricity for irrigation and related activities, along with 16 hours of power supply in case of inadequate rainfall, all at a subsidized rate of 70 paise per unit.
Bihar’s power infrastructure has witnessed a significant surge, from 700MW to over 7000 MW, with the state meeting the highest demand of 7576 MW on July 23, 2023, a testament to the hard work of teams and consumer cooperation.
Sanjeev Hans, credited with streamlining the power sector, mentioned that Bihar State Load Dispatch Centre received the LDC Excellence Awards 2023 for ensuring efficient power system operation.
The state has not only addressed power shortages but also witnessed a notable increase in revenue collection, reflecting the success of ensuring ample power availability to consumers. Hans assured that there is no power shortage, and industrial connections are expedited, meeting all necessary requirements.
