Virar Activist Stages Month-Long Dharna Over Smart Meters and Excess Bills

A local activist has mounted an ongoing protest against the rollout of smart electricity meters outside a Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) sub-divisional office in Virar West.

The activist, Suhail Khan, was pictured on Tuesday continuing what has grown into a month-long dharna outside the utility's office. Khan alleged that residents are facing forced installation of smart meters alongside inflated power bills.

Khan stated that the demonstration originally began with his own individual billing issue. Since launching the sit-in, he reported receiving more than 700 grievances from citizens who claimed they were victims of excess billing and found MSEDCL officials unable to help them.

MSEDCL officials, however, stated that thousands of complaints related to the meters have already been addressed and resolved.