Tura, July 7: West Garo Hills district is going to get 40,000 smart meters in its first phase of installation and there will be no charges for its installation and use for the first five years, informed officials.

This information was given by officials during a live demonstration on installation and use of smart meters by MePDCL in collaboration with the West Garo Hills district administration on Wednesday at DRDA hall, Tura, for the Govt. officials on installation and use of the smart meters, which is a joint initiative of the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Meghalaya.

During the program the MePDCL officials informed that installation of smart meters in other districts of Garo Hills has already started and the same will also be done in West Garo Hills with the expected target of installation to be completed by November or December, this year.

At the event, the SGIL company officials informed that the smart meters are coming with an in-built GPRS and an online bill payment facility is also available through the mobile app.

They said that as of today as many as 44,000 smart meters have been installed all over Meghalaya.