Bescom to Discontinue ATP Machines Starting Aug 1

Fast Summary

• Any Time Payment (ATP) machines for electricity bill payment at Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) offices will be discontinued from August 1.
• ATP kiosks were initially shut down in 2015, but reopened in 2017 due to public demand, with an increase in their number from 117 to 217.
• Multiple alternative payment methods are available, including the Bescom website, Bescom Mithra app, Spot Billing Devices, Bharat bill Payment System (BBPS), NEFT, ECS (Electronic Clearing Service), and UPI platforms.
• Cash payments can still be made at Bescom sub-divisional offices as well as Bangalore One and Karnataka One centers within Bescom’s jurisdiction.
• A bescom official stated that the contract period for ATP machines had ended and maintaining them no longer made fiscal sense due to low usage.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discontinuation of ATP machines by Bescom reflects a shift toward digital and diversified payment systems for utility bills. While ATP machines once addressed a need for accessible bill payments, users have increasingly adopted newer technologies such as apps and online portals which offer convenience and reduced operational costs. Maintaining outdated systems like ATP kiosks appears to be financially impractical for the company given declining usage patterns.

For consumers who may lack access or familiarity with advanced payment modes like UPI or BBPS, cash counters remain available across various centers-a decision likely aimed at ensuring inclusivity while transitioning away from older infrastructure. This aligns with broader digitalization trends in India’s public utilities sector but underscores the importance of balancing accessibility alongside technological innovation.

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