Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Power addressed questions regarding the National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS) in Lok Sabha. The NFMS aims to monitor 11 kV feeders using automated data to track power distribution performance, with infrastructure modernization supported by the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). As of August 21, 2025, a significant number of feeders and distribution utilities have been integrated into the NFMS, including those in Maharashtra.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Objectives and Features of NFMS:**
* The NFMS monitors 11 kV feeders for parameters like supply hours and outages via automated Machine to Machine (M2M) data flow.
* It serves as a monitoring dashboard for distribution utilities to track power distribution system performance and identify areas for improvement.
* The NFMS dashboard helps monitor power supply parameters, enabling utilities and state governments to take necessary steps.
* **NFMS Implementation and Integration:**
* As of the report date, 206,767 out of 249,507 11 kV feeders across 72 distribution utilities are integrated with the NFMS.
* In Maharashtra, including Jalgaon district, 26,272 out of 26,461 11 kV feeders across 5 distribution utilities have been integrated, covering both rural and urban areas.
* **Impact and RDSS:**
* Smart feeder metering works are sanctioned under RDSS to facilitate monitoring and modernize infrastructure.
* Data from installed meters (including those at feeder and distribution transformer levels) can assist utilities in conducting energy audits and identifying high-loss areas.
* Under RDSS, fund release for infrastructure works is linked to feeder meter communication with the NFMS (over 90%, or 85% for special category states).
* **Training and Modernization:**
* Training is being provided to distribution utility personnel for smart metering under RDSS.
* 1,682 junior staff utility employees (linemen, technicians, and non-technical staff) have received training.
Impact Analysis:
**Distribution Utilities:**
* *Impact:* Utilities can track performance, identify improvement areas, conduct energy audits, and potentially reduce technical and commercial losses.
* *Action Required:* Utilize data from NFMS for energy audits, loss identification, and implementing improvement measures.
**State Governments/Union Territories:**
* *Impact:* Enabled to take necessary steps based on power supply parameter monitoring.
* *Action Required:* Monitor NFMS data and implement policies or initiatives to address identified issues.
**Utility Personnel (Linemen, Technicians, Non-Technical Staff):**
* *Impact:* Receive training on smart metering related to NFMS.
* *Action Required:* Participate in training programs and apply new skills to improve feeder monitoring and management.
Key Entities Referenced
National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS): A system to monitor 11 kV feeders for parameters like supply hours and outages, based on Machine to Machine (M2M) automatic data flow.
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): A scheme to facilitate monitoring and modernize infrastructure through smart feeder metering, with fund release linked to feeder meter communication with NFMS.
Maharashtra: A state in India where NFMS implementation is being monitored, with a specific focus on rural and semi-urban areas.
Jalgaon district: A district in Maharashtra specifically mentioned as being covered under the National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS).
Distribution Companies (DISCOMs): The utilities responsible for power distribution, with several operating in Maharashtra, being onboarded to the NFMS platform.
Aggregate Technical and Commercial (ATC) losses: Losses in the power distribution system that NFMS aims to reduce by improving feeder-level transparency.
11 kV feeders: The specific type of feeders being monitored by the National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS).
SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4670
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL FEEDER MONITORING SYSTEM
†4670. SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI:
SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:
SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) the key objectives, features and technological framework of the National
Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS) and the manner in which it supports real-time
data monitoring of rural and urban feeders across the country;
(b) the total number of feeders currently being monitored and integrated with
the NFMS platform along with the number of Distribution Companies (DISCOMs)
on boarded-particularly those operating in Maharashtra;
(c) the extent to which NFMS has been implemented in rural and semi-urban
areas of Maharashtra;
(d) whether districts like Jalgaon have been covered under this system and
if so, the details thereof;
(e) the impact of NFMS in improving feeder-level transparency, reducing
Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, and ensuring reliability,
transparency, efficiency and quality power supply to agricultural consumers and
rural households in the country; and
(f) whether the Government has issued any performance-linked guidelines or
evaluation parameters for State utilities thereunder in connection with NFMS
data along with the measures taken to train personnel and modernize
infrastructure in the said State?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (f) : The objective of National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS) is to
Monitor 11 kV feeders, for parameters including supply hours and outages
based on seamless Machine to Machine (M2M) automatic flow of data.Essentially, NFMS is a monitoring dashboard which collects data from
communicable feeder meters. It would enable distribution utilities to track
performance of the power distribution systems and identify areas of
improvement. The NFMS dashboard has no direct bearing on AT&C losses or
in improving quality and efficiency of power supply, but helps to monitor the
power supply parameters so as to enable utilities and State Governments/ UTs
to take necessary steps.
To facilitate monitoring and modernize infrastructure, smart feeder
metering works have been sanctioned under Revamped Distribution Sector
Scheme (RDSS). Utilities may use the data generated from meters installed,
including meters installed at feeder and Distribution transformer, would help
utilities in conducting energy audit, identifying high loss areas. These insights
may be effectively used to improve technical and commercial losses.
Till date 2,06,767 feeders out of total 2,49,507 11 kV feeders across 72
distribution utilities have been integrated with the NFMS. For the State of
Maharashtra, including Jalgaon district, 26,272 out of 26,461 11 kV feeders,
both for rural and urban area feeders, across 5 distribution utilities have been
integrated with the NFMS.
Under RDSS, release of funds for infrastructure works is linked to more
than 90% of the feeder meters (85% in case of special category States)
communicating with the National Feeder Monitoring System. Further, training is
being delivered to distribution utilities personnel for smart metering related
works under RDSS. Till date, 1,682 no. of junior staff utility employees (covering
linemen, technicians and non-technical staff) have been imparted training.
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