Srinagar: In the wake of rising regional hostilities, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) confirmed that its widely used Bill Sahuliyat Smart app suffered a major cyberattack, leaving thousands of electricity consumers unable to pay bills throughout May.
The app, an essential platform for prepaid and postpaid users—especially in smart meter-enabled areas where paper bills have been phased out—became inaccessible in early May due to what officials describe as a targeted cybersecurity breach. As a result, many consumers have been unable to view usage data, recharge prepaid meters, or settle monthly dues, triggering significant public concern.
Chief Engineer (Distribution) Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva stated:
“During hostilities, the Bill Sahuliyat Smart app was hit by a cyberattack. As per government guidelines, we had to sanitise and secure the system before restoring it. It will be live again soon.”
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‘Bill Sahuliyat Plus’ Rolled Out as Interim Solution
To address the disruption, KPDCL has launched an alternative digital platform, the ‘Bill Sahuliyat Plus’ app, now available on the Google Play Store. This app provides core functionalities including bill payment, prepaid meter recharges, and usage tracking, serving as a stopgap until the original system is fully restored.
Deva assured consumers that no disconnections would occur during the app’s downtime: “We want to reassure our consumers—especially those on prepaid connections—that their power supply won’t be disconnected while the original app is down.”
In addition to the new app, KPDCL has recommended consumers explore alternate payment options such as:
- The J&K Bank mPay app
- Designated physical payment counters across select localities
To aid consumers, a tutorial video demonstrating the features of the new app has been shared via KPDCL’s official Facebook page, and the department’s X (formerly Twitter) handle is actively responding to queries.
Consumer Woes and Assurance on Penalties
Despite the quick rollout of the new app, users across the Kashmir Valley have expressed anxiety and inconvenience over the sudden switch, compounded by the lack of paper billing systems in most urban areas.
Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Bemina, shared: “I’ve been trying to pay my bill since the first week of May, but the app doesn’t open. With no paper alternative, we’re left in the dark—literally and figuratively.”
Shabnam Jan, a schoolteacher from Rajbagh, echoed the concern: “It’s been weeks since I last recharged my meter. I don’t even know how much balance I have. We fear being cut off.”
KPDCL officials have assured consumers that any late fees or penalties arising due to the outage will be waived, and there will be no disconnection notices until full service is restored.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts have been roped in to investigate the breach. The department aims to implement stronger digital safeguards to avoid future disruptions and build cyber resilience in the Valley’s essential infrastructure systems.
Digital Dependence Meets Cyber Vulnerability
The disruption of the Bill Sahuliyat Smart app underscores the growing reliance on digital platforms for essential services in Kashmir, and the vulnerabilities that come with it, especially during periods of geopolitical tension. KPDCL’s swift rollout of the Bill Sahuliyat Plus app and its consumer-first approach in waiving penalties offer a temporary relief. However, the incident also highlights the urgent need for robust cybersecurity protocols in public utility infrastructure.
As digital adoption accelerates, especially in regions with smart meter rollouts, ensuring data integrity and uninterrupted access to basic services will be key to maintaining public trust and operational continuity.