Smart Meter Protest in Surat: Residents Stop DGVCL Team, Allegations of Forced Installation

Surat | Gujarat — Public resentment over the installation of smart electricity meters in Surat boiled over on Honey Park Road after residents of Shiv Shakti Apartment halted a team from the Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL), accusing officials of attempting to replace meters without consent.

What began as a routine installation drive quickly escalated into a heated confrontation as women residents gathered in large numbers, blocking entry to workers carrying smart meter equipment. Eyewitnesses said tempers flared when locals alleged that neither written nor verbal permission had been taken from individual homeowners.

“We were never informed. No one asked for our consent. This is our house — how can they install anything against our will?” one resident said during the protest.

Heated Exchange, Work Stopped

The dispute intensified when arguments broke out between residents and DGVCL employees. Protesters claimed the administration was forcing the transition without adequate notice or transparency. Several women alleged that the work was being carried out “quietly” and would have been completed in their absence had they not intervened.

“The process was done without our knowledge. If we were not alert, the meters would have been changed secretly,” another resident said, accusing the power utility of bypassing democratic norms.

In response, DGVCL officials maintained that permission had been obtained from the society president, which, according to them, was sufficient to proceed with the installation. However, residents rejected this claim, arguing that individual homeowners must be consulted before replacing existing meters.

“The Meter Is Ours,” Say Employees

The situation turned more contentious when, according to residents, some employees allegedly stated, “The meter belongs to the electricity company, so we can change it whenever we want.” This remark further angered the crowd, who described the statement as an abuse of authority.

Officials also reportedly confronted media personnel on the spot, accusing them of spreading “false information” about the smart meter drive.

With tensions mounting, the installation work was ultimately halted.

The incident highlights growing public skepticism toward the smart meter rollout in Surat. While authorities promote the technology as a step toward efficiency and transparency, resistance on the ground suggests that lack of communication and consent could derail the initiative if not handled sensitively.