Pune Resident Alleges ₹1 Lakh Electricity Bill After Smart Meter Installation, Seeks Probe
Pune Resident Alleges ₹1 Lakh Electricity Bill After Smart Meter Installation, Seeks Probe
Pune, July 13, 2026: A resident of Donje village near Sinhagad Fort in Pune’s Haveli taluka has alleged that his electricity bill surged to nearly ₹1 lakh after the installation of a smart meter, despite living in a small 10×10-foot room with limited electricity usage.
The consumer claimed that before the smart meter was installed, his monthly electricity bill was around ₹750. The unexpected increase has prompted him to approach the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), also known as Mahavitaran, seeking a thorough investigation into the matter.
He has requested the power utility to verify whether the unusually high bill was caused by a technical fault in the smart meter, an error in meter readings, or any other issue in the billing process.
The incident has sparked concern among residents as the state continues its smart meter rollout across Maharashtra, with many consumers closely watching the transition to the new system.
The complaint comes days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured citizens that smart meter installations would not impose any additional financial burden on electricity consumers. He had also stated that any billing discrepancies or technical issues arising from the new system would be promptly examined and resolved.
Mahavitaran has not yet disclosed the findings of its inquiry. The investigation is expected to determine whether the unusually high electricity bill was the result of a technical malfunction, a billing error, or another underlying cause.
