Patna, Sept. 7: A new and modern meter-testing hi-tech laboratory is being set up to test electric meters in a more effective manner.

Electricity consumers, especially the domestic ones, usually have to wait for 10 to 15 days to get their meter tested for getting a new connection or in the event of allegations of meter tampering. The new high-tech laboratory would test the meter in a few minutes, reducing the long queue for the purpose.

Though the proposed high-tech lab has not been inaugurated officially, all work, including testing of the lab, has been completed.

“A new and modern meter (electricity) testing high-tech lab will start working soon. It will have computerised testing facilities that will produce results within minutes,” Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) chief engineer-cum-general manager SKP Singh told The Telegraph.

He said the lab can test about 20 electronic meters, which are in use these days, in one go and the accurate results of which would be available within 15 to 20 minutes, thereby reducing the time involved in physical verification.

With the establishment of the lab, the consumers would not have any grudges regarding the accuracy of the meter, Singh said, adding that the analysis of theft could also be done at this lab.

“Now, the electricity board will not have to send meters either to Delhi or Bangalore in the event of a dispute arising between parties. Instead, it can be tested in the state capital itself,” Singh said.

Meter testing work, hitherto, was done manually which has been taking a lot of time and increasing the number of pending cases, because of the huge number of meters that are tested every month by the board, official sources said, adding that about 15,000-20,000 meters are tested every month.

The lab is being set up according to the recommendation of Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission, the official said.

Bihar Industries Association secretary general Sanjay Goenka welcomed the board’s move. “The step will save both time and energy and at the same time it will quicken the process of getting new connections for industrial users,” he said.

An industrialist, wishing anonymity, told The Telegraph: “It will be a welcome step if the board sets up such a lab and we must appreciate the effort. However, that (the lab) might not serve the purpose, as nothing moves in the electricity board without a bribe. It is more about the mindset rather than the machines.”