Srinagar: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said it has revolutionized the way consumers pay their electricity bills, with a remarkable rise in digital payment adoption.
From a modest 3.32% in April 2018 to an impressive 79.90% in December 2024, the shift highlights the corporation’s successful digital transformation efforts.
According to data accessed by the news agency JKNS, KPDCL currently offers several digital platforms for bill payments, including the Billsahuliyat Web Portal, mobile applications for Android and iOS, and integration with Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) services like Google Pay, PayTM, and Amazon Pay.
The data also shows that smart meter users can access payments through the Smart BS App.
Pertinently, the digital payment growth over the years shows that when KPDCL began its digital journey in 2018, only 17,502 transactions were conducted digitally, accounting for just 3.32% of the total 527,534 payments made that month. The remaining 96.68% were over-the-counter payments.
Similarly, the adoption of digital platforms gradually picked up pace. By April 2019, digital transactions rose to 23,875, making up 4.43% of total payments. In April 2020, digital transactions witnessed a dramatic jump to 85.03%, with 37,333 payments made digitally out of 43,906 total transactions. By April 2021, 296,020 payments were made digitally, constituting 37.41% of total payments.
Additionally, in April 2023, digital payments surged to 72.88%, with 434,322 transactions, and by December 2024, digital payments peaked at 513,772, representing 79.90% of total payments.
In the meanwhile, this data showcases a clear trend, with consumers increasingly preferring online options over traditional methods, driven by the convenience and efficiency of KPDCL’s platforms.
Notably, KPDCL acknowledged that occasional issues arise during digital transactions due to synchronization failures between consumer bank accounts and UPI portals. These disruptions, external to KPDCL’s systems, are being actively addressed to minimize their impact.
Moreover, to enhance consumer satisfaction further, KPDCL has launched Billsahuliyat Plus, an advanced billing and collection platform. This new initiative focuses on improving API integration and ensuring a more seamless payment experience for users.
It is worth mentioning that the Managing Director of KPDCL stressed the corporation’s dedication to leveraging technology for better consumer services. “Our aim is to provide a transparent, efficient, and consumer-friendly power distribution network. With the introduction of Billsahuliyat Plus, we are taking another step towards achieving that goal,” the statement read. —(JKNS)
