Jaipur: Nearly six lakh water consumers in Jaipur will be able to pay their bills by simply scanning a personalised QR code from Aug 10, as Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) introduces a QR-code-based billing system aimed at making payments quicker and more convenient.Following a successful pilot, PHED will issue personalised QR codes to registered consumers, allowing them to access their latest bill, view details of up to 10 previous bills and make online payments without visiting PHED offices. The QR code will be printed on all subsequent water bills and will remain permanently linked to the consumer’s billing account.Officials, however, said the biggest challenge before the rollout is low mobile registration. Of Jaipur’s nearly six lakh consumers, only around 1.3 lakh have linked their personal mobile numbers with their consumer accounts, a mandatory requirement for generating the QR code.“We appeal to all consumers to register their mobile numbers at the earliest. We will soon begin sending alert messages asking residents to complete the registration process. The state govt is also planning an amnesty scheme with substantial waivers on outstanding water bills, and mobile registration will be mandatory to avail its benefits,” said Ajay Singh Rathore, additional chief engineer (Jaipur North and South Circle), PHED.To generate the QR code, consumers must visit PHED’s official website and enter their consumer connection number along with the registered mobile number. Once generated, the same QR code can be used repeatedly to check dues and make payments from any previously issued bill.According to PHED officials, the initiative addresses frequent complaints from consumers who miss payment deadlines after failing to receive bills on time or being unable to visit departmental offices.“The personalised QR code will make bill payments hassle-free. Consumers can scan the code from any bill available at home, check outstanding dues instantly and complete the payment online. After successful technical trials, the system will be launched across Jaipur from Aug 10,” Rathore said.
