A new Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) survey reveals that India’s ambitious smart meter rollout is encountering serious roadblocks, dampening its progress. As per the findings, outdated utility infrastructure and interoperability issues—cited by 57% of respondents—are the foremost obstacles, followed closely by unreliable connectivity, especially in remote areas, noted by 53%.
Consumer awareness is also critically low. Around 48% of respondents flagged misconceptions about billing and data privacy concerns as significant barriers to adoption. The survey was conducted over two months during the 3rd CII Smart Meter Conference and reflects the views of industry professionals navigating this transition.
However, optimism is not entirely absent. Industry leaders stressed the need for clearer regulatory mandates, transparent billing, consumer data access, and efficient grievance redressal mechanisms to bolster confidence and drive adoption. Suket Singhal, CEO of Secure Meters and chair of the CII Smart Meter task force, emphasized enhancing consumer experience—arguing that electricity prepayment should feel as user‑friendly as mobile or DTH services.
The report also underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity and privacy safeguards to allay stakeholder concerns. In sum, while smart metering in India shows promise, closing technical, regulatory, and awareness gaps remains essential to realize its full potential.
