VISAKHAPATNAM: Even as its mobile app ‘Eastern Power’ is turning out to be a major success, the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) signed the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ICICI bank Wednesday to launch online electricity bill collection for the benefit of APEPDCL consumers. The MoU was signed by APEPDCL chief general manager (expenditure) K Surya Bhaskara Rao and ICICI bank general manager Avijit Saha in the presence of APEPDCL chairman and managing director R Mutyala Raju here.
The service, christened ICICI Bank-Eazy Pay, will enable anyone, including non-customers of ICICI bank, to pay electricity bills online on the website of APEPDCL. Power consumers will be able to do pay bills by using multiple payment channels using debit or credit card, net banking and RTGS or NEFT transfer of any bank. According to Mutyala Raju, the MoU would benefit 52 lakh consumers of the APEPDCL in five districts under its jurisdiction.
Buoyed by the response to the mobile app ‘Eastern Power’, the APEPDCL is contemplating introducing new features commencing next week. The features to be incorporated as per the suggestions from the consumers include Provisional Bill, Energy Calculator and Connect where the last feature can provide the users access to the Facebook and Twitter accounts of APEPDCL and its website besides the online portals of APTRANSCO, APGENC, AP Southern Power Distribution Company Limited and APERC. Over 10,795 consumers have installed the app on their smartphones and nearly Rs 25.82 lakh was collected towards power bills through over 3,400 transactions as on November 25. Similarly, 96 complaints were received and 406 feedbacks were received in the form of appreciation, suggestions and comments.
The Eastern Power app is simple, fast, intuitive and easy to use. After installing the app, users have to sign up with their email IDs, register themselves using 16 digit service number and Aadhaar number. Once registered and logged in, consumers can stay connected with the EPDCL for a seamless service experience. The prospective customer has to register himself for new services in the APEPDCL website http://www.apeasternpower.com also.