Starting 1 July, new and temporary electricity connections in 13 districts of south interior Karnataka will require consumers to pay ₹4,998 for smart meters.
This move by BESCOM and CHESCOM follows Karnataka Electricity Regulation Commission guidelines. Smart meters, first piloted in Bengaluru, are now being expanded to districts including Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, and Davanagere. Despite different vendors handling the rollout, officials assure price consistency to avoid discrepancies. Urban areas under BESCOM, including Bengaluru, began implementing smart meters from February 15, 2025, marking a phased statewide rollout.