As India’s energy demand surged in the late 2010s, the limitations of its power distribution systems became impossible to ignore. High AT&C losses, delayed billing, and limited network visibility weakened DISCOM finances and consumer trust. To address these challenges at scale, the Government of India launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme(RDSS) in 2021, placing digitalisation and smart metering at the centre of reform.

Assam’s journey stands out as a compelling example of how this vision moved from policy to performance.

Assam’s on-ground challenges

Before RDSS gathered national momentum, Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) was managing a vast and complex network with over six million consumers, largely dependent on manual meter reading. AT&C losses hovered above 23–25%, billing cycles were slow, and consumer trust was under pressure. While APDCL had initiated Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) plans, statewide smart meter deployment would take time. The challenge was clear: how to deliver immediate impact while building for the future.

Kimbal’s approach: Solve now, build for tomorrow

Kimbal partnered with APDCL with a two-pronged strategy, immediate digital intervention, and long-term smart grid enablement.

To address urgent operational gaps, APDCL adopted Samaksha, Kimbal’s AI-enabled meter reading solution. Integrated with APDCL’s billing system in early 2021, Samaksha replaced manual readings with image-based capture and AI-driven data extraction. The solution scaled rapidly, from an initial rollout to statewide adoption, processing over 8.5 crore meter readings with more than 95% accuracy. This delivered faster billing, reduced human error, improved collections, and restored consumer confidence, well before smart meters were fully deployed.

In parallel, Kimbal executed AMI deployments across Assam, delivering smart meters, RF-based communication infrastructure, and a robust Head-End System. These projects were completed ahead of standard industry timelines, creating a strong digital backbone aligned with RDSS objectives.

Measurable impact, national recognition

The results were tangible. APDCL saw AT&C losses reduce from 23.39% in 2019–20 to 18.09% by 2022–23, alongside improvements in billing efficiency, governance, and operational transparency. Building on this foundation, Assam rapidly scaled smart prepaid metering, culminating in the installation of over 50 lakh smart prepaid meters, a milestone acknowledged by the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently.

Looking ahead

Assam’s experience shows that successful reform is not about a single technology, but about sequencing the right solutions at the right time. By combining AI-led innovation like Samaksha with scalable smart metering infrastructure, Kimbal helped APDCL move from challenge to leadership.

As RDSS continues to reshape India’s power sector, we remain committed to building secure, efficient, and future-ready energy systems—turning reform into real-world impact.

About Kimbal

Founded in 2011, Kimbal Private Limited is spearheading a smarter, cleaner energy future, transforming global energy distribution through innovative smart metering, RF-based massive connectivity, cloud platforms, and advanced energy management systems. The company tackles the rapidly evolving energy landscape by empowering utilities worldwide to modernize, scale, and future-proof power networks with unparalleled reliability and agility. Operating in a high-speed, boundary-pushing environment, Kimbal innovates and delivers solutions swiftly to meet urgent market demands. Its vision is to create resilient, affordable, and adaptable grids that excel in complex energy ecosystems while driving bold progress toward carbon neutrality and sustainability. 

To learn more about Kimbal’s journey and purpose, read our story here.