Patna, Sept. 27: Power consumers would be saved the hassle of travelling far to deposit their bills, as South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd would install 94 any time payment machines.

The move would benefit consumers of the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) area. The distribution company has planned to install such machines in almost all localities within a 1 to 2km periphery. The move of the distribution company was buoyed by the success of the existing 19 ATP machines in the city.

“We received a positive response from power consumers for paying energy bills through ATP machines. Hence, the company decided to install additional machines in sufficient numbers in all the 11 divisions of Pesu,” Pesu general manager Rajiv Amit said.

A South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) official said the company has identified 94 places where it intends to install new machines. Some areas where the company intends to install such machines are Premchandra Rangshala, Moinul Haque Stadium, power supply sub-division in University, collectorate premises, Gandhi Maidan traffic police station, near Jakkanpur police station, Nalanda Medical College, Hanuman Nagar near Panitanki, Patna Sahib station, high court campus, IGIMS and others. Sources said the ATPs would be installed within three months.

Consumers can pay in cash, including currency notes and coins, or through cheques and drafts. The person would just have to follow instructions. The machine would give the consumer an option of whether he/she intends to deposit by cash or cheque, then one would have to enter his/her ID. At the end, a consumer would get a receipt after successful deposition of the bill. They would also be able to use debit and credit cards.

“In a fast-paced lifestyle, such machines saves time and makes it easy to deposit the money,” said Ashok Kumar, who had come to deposit his bill at an ATP at Panitanki near AN College.