Web portal for quick delivery of electricity services in Odisha soon

Bhubaneswar: A web portal is likely to become functional soon to connect customers with the power distribution companies (DISCOMS) in Odisha.

Under an initiative for implementation of 5T framework to address power related issues and customers’ complaints, the Energy Department is almost ready with an unified online portal for electricity services.

This was revealed at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy through a video conferencing programme held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday.

Outlining the necessity of the portal, Principal Secretary Energy Nikunja Bihari Dhal stressed on timely service delivery and good governance in the department.

Reviewing different contours of the portal, Tripathy directed the Energy Department to make the website more user friendly with bi-lingual applications for the common citizens. He also asked to develop a mobile application for more convenience to consumers and directed all DISCOMS – TPCODL, NESCO, SOUTHCO and WESCO – to make their service delivery system ready to operate through this common portal.

After launching of the online platform of Energy Department, the consumers need not to visit electricity offices quite often to resolve power related issues.

As of now, all DISCOMS are following different processes for new service connection. The charges for new connection vary in areas under jurisdictions of 4 power distribution companies in Odisha. The grievance redressal systems of the DISCOMS are also different from each other.

“The common portal will resolve all these issues. The new customers will get power connection within specified timeline in all areas of the State irrespective of the DISCOM’s area of operation, Principal Secretary Dhal said at the meeting.

Source said that the portal with its standardized process and application form would facilitate new service connection to the domestic and micro business enterprises (upto 5 KW) within 48 hours where electrical infrastructure is available.

Besides, the portal would have proper escalation matrix for timely service with SMS facility both to the applicant and the concerned DISCOM official at each stage of the work. The facilities including online submission of application, issue of contract demand, bill payment, registration of consumers’ grievance and their redressal will also be available on the portal. The consumers would have option to pay bill both through online and offline mode and the portal would have both Odia and English scripts.