The Vasai-Virar smart meter protest planned for September 7 on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway has been postponed, with organisers instead announcing an all-party march to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) office in Vasai East on the same day.
The highway blockade was deferred to avoid traffic disruption during the Jain Paryushan period and ahead of Ganeshotsav, according to the report. Organisers said a highway protest could create difficulties for ambulances, commuters, devotees and other travellers.
The replacement march will begin at 4 p.m. from a petrol pump in Vasai East and proceed to the MSEDCL head office. Vasai mayor Ajiv Patil said residents, political representatives and members of various organisations were expected to participate in the demonstration.
MSEDCL has been rapidly replacing older electricity meters with smart meters in Vasai-Virar. Residents and protest organisers have alleged that some consumers saw excessive or doubled electricity bills after the new meters were installed. They have also alleged that old meters were removed and replaced without obtaining prior consent from consumers.
The protesters’ principal demand is that any alleged compulsion to accept smart meters should be withdrawn immediately. The allegations in the report were made by residents and organisers; the report does not include a response from MSEDCL to the specific claims about billing increases or consent.
The protest was earlier planned at Shirsad Phata on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. Organisers have warned MSEDCL in writing that a more intense highway blockade could follow if they do not receive a satisfactory decision on the smart-meter issue after the office march.
The report also refers to an MSEDCL claim that smart meters have helped save Rs 11 crore for five lakh consumers in Vasai-Virar. The proposed march is expected to focus on the competing claims over consumer bills, installation procedures and the continuation of the smart-meter rollout.
