Goa, May 22 -- The Union Power Ministry has recently expressed strong disapproval over Goa's continued delays in rolling out the Smart Metering Project, which was sanctioned in 2021 with a budget of Rs 467 crore. Despite Cabinet approval for appointing DigiSmart Networks Pvt Ltd as the service provider to replace meters for 7.5 lakh consumers, the company is yet to receive a work order. As a result, project execution is now expected to begin only after the 2025 monsoon.

While the Centre has acknowledged Goa's round-the-clock power supply and low aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses, it has criticized the lack of progress in installing smart meters, distribution transformer meters, and feeder meters. With initial deadlines rep...