Paying energy bill will become easier for consumers in the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) region as the energy department would introduce a door-to-door system of collecting payment from the next month.

Under the new system, consumers would be able to pay bills through debit cards of all banks at their doorstep.

Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Ltd deputy general manager (public relations) H.R. Pandey said: “Under this new system, consumers can pay meter readers, who will soon visit their homes with a hand-held billing machine.”

After the bill is read, the consumer would make the payment using his/her debit card. This move will come as a big relief for those tired of queuing up endlessly at payment counters. However, this service would not entertain those wanting to pay through credit cards.

Pandey said: “The energy department has approved this new system and all formalities have been completed.”

There are over 3.5 lakh Pesu consumers in Patna.

R.G. Sahu, an octogenarian retired senior government officer from Patel Nagar, welcomed the step.

He said: “The new system will be beneficial for those who are old and face difficulties queuing up for hours to pay their energy bills.”

“As there is no one to assist me in my day-to-day work, I have to pay my own bills. Now, I will not have to go all the way to pay the electricity bill, but do so through my debit card at home.”

Gayatri Sinha, a school teacher and resident of Patliputra colony said: “This is certainly a good step as it will bring relief to busy people like me. I have to do all the work as well as attend school. I hardly find time to visit bill payment counters because of which I have missed the payment deadline and had to pay a fine many a time. But now, with the introduction of this new payment mode, I won’t face any such problems. It will help me a lot.”

Apart from this, the consumers can also make payment through SBI’s mobile banking service.