Prepaid Meter Recharge Glitch Sparks Protest in Tripura

Agartala, Oct 26 : A technical disruption in prepaid electricity meter recharge services triggered a protest at the Tripura State Electricity Corporation's sub-divisional office in Kumarghat, with consumers alleging that several households lost power after being unable to recharge their meters.

A large number of consumers from Kumarghat, Fatikroy and neighbouring areas gathered outside the office on Monday, demanding an immediate resolution of the problem. The situation turned tense, prompting police intervention, following which the online recharge facility was restored.

According to the protesters, electricity supply to several households was disconnected after their prepaid meter balances were exhausted. They alleged that the physical recharge counter remained closed due to a government holiday, while the online recharge system was also reportedly unavailable.

The disruption left affected consumers without an immediate means of replenishing their meter balances and restoring their electricity connections, triggering resentment among residents.

The protesters questioned the reliability of the prepaid metering system, claiming that difficulties in recharging meters were causing hardship for ordinary households. They urged the electricity utility to ensure that recharge facilities remained accessible, including on public holidays.

Some consumers expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of electricity-related issues and demanded a review of the prepaid metering system. A section of the protesters also called for the restoration of the earlier postpaid billing arrangement.

As the demonstration intensified, personnel from Kumarghat Police Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Sanjoy Das, reached the electricity corporation's office to bring the situation under control and prevent further escalation.

Following the protest, the online recharge facility was made operational, enabling affected consumers to replenish their prepaid meter balances and restore their electricity supply.

The situation gradually returned to normal after the recharge service resumed.

The incident has highlighted consumer concerns over the reliability of prepaid electricity services, particularly when technical disruptions coincide with the closure of physical recharge counters.

Residents called for more dependable recharge facilities, prompt resolution of technical problems and adequate arrangements to ensure consumers can restore their electricity supply without undue difficulty.

The protest has also renewed demands from some consumers for a review of the prepaid billing system. They urged the electricity corporation to address service-related grievances and take steps to prevent similar disruptions in the future.