BEST to Upgrade Wadala Testing Lab as Smart Meter Rollout Expands

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has decided to modernise its ageing meter-testing infrastructure at its Wadala laboratory as it accelerates the installation of smart electricity meters across Mumbai.

The decision aims to ensure higher accuracy in energy measurement and strengthen consumer confidence in the newly introduced smart meter technology. Under the current protocol, every smart meter must undergo rigorous testing and verification before it is deployed for consumer use.

BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao said the existing test benches used to check meter precision prior to installation have become outdated and require replacement with advanced equipment. She explained that upgrading these test benches will deliver significantly more reliable results and support the ongoing smart meter transition.

A senior BEST power supply official confirmed that an official proposal to procure the advanced testing benches has already been prepared. Currently, all smart meters are checked and verified at BEST’s testing laboratory in Wadala before receiving clearance for deployment across the supply network.

The infrastructure upgrade comes at a time when the adoption of smart meters is progressing rapidly. BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi said that more than 60 percent of consumers in the island city have already switched over to smart meters.

Addressing public apprehension regarding the new devices, Sethi noted that BEST is establishing a robust verification mechanism. The undertaking is also expanding consumer awareness campaigns to address and counter concerns that the installation of smart meters leads to inflated electricity bills.