Ranchi: The widespread rollout of smart meters in the city has helped Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) collect a record revenue of Rs 104 crore in June.Manmohan Kumar, general manager of JBVNL’s Ranchi supply area, said the June collections marked a sharp increase compared with May. “An increase of Rs 8 crore was recorded in June compared with May. A major reason behind the rise is the installation of smart meters as it not only prevented electricity theft but also ensured automated and timely bill generation,” he said.The transition has significantly improved operational efficiency, driving the city’s total billing percentage from 91.7% in May to more than 97% in June. The power utility is now aiming for complete coverage.“Our aim is to ensure 100% billing in July. We are building a system where every consumer in the city receives electricity bill on a monthly basis,” Kumar said.Out of 4,30,000 electricity connections in the city, smart meters have been installed in 4,10,000 homes and business establishments, with work under way to replace the remaining 20,000 traditional meters.A key feature driving compliance is the automated disconnection system. If an invoice remains unpaid, the power supply is cut off automatically, incentivising consumers to settle their dues promptly. The utility has promised quick recovery times for those who fall behind. “Power supply is resumed within 30 minutes of bill payment,” Kumar said.Operating on a prepaid model, smart meters automatically disconnect power if a consumer’s account balance falls below minus Rs 1,500. Kumar said consumers only need to maintain a positive balance to avoid disruption.To manage this effectively, residents can estimate how much balance to maintain by checking their previous bills and average electricity use. Beyond budgeting, the system offers transparency for the public. “Smart meters allow consumers to track their monthly, daily and even hourly electricity consumption through digital platforms,” Kumar added.