A planned highway blockade against smart-meter installations in Vasai-Virar has been postponed, with an all-party march instead scheduled at the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) office on September 7. The protesters have cited concerns over electricity bills and alleged forced replacement of existing meters.
The highway protest had been planned at Shirsad Phata on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway. Organisers said the decision to defer it was taken to avoid inconvenience to commuters, ambulance services and festival-goers during the Jain Paryushan period and ahead of Ganeshotsav.
The replacement of conventional electricity meters with smart meters is reportedly under way across Vasai-Virar. Residents have alleged that some consumers received unusually high or doubled electricity bills after smart meters were installed. Protesters have also alleged that old meters were removed and replaced without prior consent from consumers.
The allegations have not been independently established in the report. MSEDCL has previously claimed that smart meters have helped save around Rs 11 crore for five lakh consumers in Vasai-Virar, according to related coverage cited by Loksatta. The utility’s position on the latest allegations was not included in the report.
The march is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. from a petrol pump in Vasai East and proceed to MSEDCL’s main office. Vasai mayor Ajiv Patil said citizens, representatives of political parties and members of local organisations were expected to participate.
The protesters are demanding that alleged compulsion in smart-meter installation be withdrawn immediately. They have warned that a highway blockade could be held later if they do not receive a satisfactory response from MSEDCL after the march. The organisers have communicated the warning to the electricity utility in writing.
