Bunjwah residents united against installation of Smart Meter, Demanded for early maintenance and restoration of electric infrastructure

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

CHENAB VALLEY JAN,14:-The residents of the Bunjwah region recently organised a two-day demonstration against the installation of Smart Meters, expressing their deep concerns regarding the maintenance and restoration of local infrastructure. This gathering united local leaders, political figures, social activists, and enthusiastic youths, all demanding to halt the installation of smart meters until their pressing needs are addressed.

Among their primary requests is the expedited completion of the long-overdue 33/11 KV Electricity Receiving Station in Bunjwah, which they believe is crucial for improving their power supply. Additionally, they are calling for the swift completion of maintenance work on essential infrastructure, organised according to the panchayat system under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). There is also a strong push for a reshuffling of employees assigned to Bunjwah to ensure efficient service delivery.

Community members are rallying for immediate action to remedy the aging electrical infrastructure that is vital not only for their daily lives but also for the economic activities that sustain their households. Their collective voice underscores the critical need for a reliable power supply and the urgent need for attention to upgrade their local facilities.

Leading the demonstration Shafqat Sheikh, who has emphasised the urgent need to replace deteriorating wooden utility poles. Many of these poles are visibly rotting and unstable, endangering the reliability of the electricity supply as well as the safety of families and children living nearby. Additionally, existing power lines are often entangled with hazardous barbed wire, compounding the risks and making access to essential services increasingly difficult. Sheikh insists that authorities prioritise these safety concerns—repairing or replacing damaged poles and removing unsafe barbed wire—before considering the rollout of Smart Meters. He argues that addressing these immediate hazards is crucial for responsibly integrating modern technological solutions.
Residents of Bunjwah are also advocating for a comprehensive audit of the current electrical infrastructure. This audit would thoroughly assess the safety and functionality of existing wiring, transformers, and other critical components, ensuring compliance with modern standards and the ability to adapt to the community’s evolving needs.

A recent demonstration highlighted significant discontent with the perceived unprofessional conduct of utility employees and the rushed installation of Smart Meters amid inadequate maintenance of existing electrical lines. Political leaders, including the BJP Mandal President of Bunjwah, Mohd Ashraf Sheikh, along with senior citizens and concerned parents, voiced their frustrations to Tehsildar Bunjwah, demanding accountability and prompt rectification. In response to the community’s concerns, the Tehsildar directed utility authorities to halt Smart Meter installations until the Executive Engineer of JPDCL could visit and assess the current state of the wiring and utility poles in the area.
This collective action illustrates the residents’ commitment to safeguarding their community’s well-being while striving for a more sustainable energy infrastructure. Their determination highlights the importance of local voices in decisions that affect their lives and environment, fostering a stronger push for responsible technological advancements.
As a result of extensive media coverage and public outcry by individuals like Ashiq Wani regarding the opposition to Smart Meters—where residents called for urgent infrastructure maintenance—progress has been made. The protest was called off following assurances for the prompt restoration of infrastructure related to damaged wooden poles and the removal of hazardous barbed wire. The smart meters that had been installed were promptly removed, and Tanveer Ahmed, the Assistant Executive Engineer for JPDCL in Thathri, visited Bunjwah to address the community’s concerns directly. He assured residents that infrastructure maintenance would be completed within 15 days.

Additionally, the Executive Engineer of JPDCL STD Doda, Er Roauf Ahmed, inspected the site of a newly constructed 33/11 kV electricity receiving station at Jawalapur, Bunjwah. During his visit, he evaluated the disputed area and committed to making the new grid station operational within 20 days. He also pledged to prioritise all pending work, indicating a significant reduction in the current 18-hour daily power cuts once the grid station is fully functional.

In a significant show of unity, residents and prominent citizens rallied alongside all political parties to voice their concerns over the installation of smart meters by the Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL). This demonstration, which drew hundreds of passionate activists, featured notable figures including Mohd Ashraf Sheikh, a respected community leader, Behari Lal Sharma, a local business owner, and Mohd Shafi Sheikh, an influential social worker. Other participants included Khurshid Ahmed Wani, Adil Hussain, Abid Hussain Malik, and Tasheen Hussain, all of whom advocate for consumer rights. Prominent voices such as journalist Ashiq Wani and Farooq Ahmed Sheikh also joined the cause, along with Tahir Hussain Mir and Majid Hussain, adding their perspectives to the growing concerns surrounding the smart meter initiative. Together, they called for transparency and accountability from JPDCL, emphasising the need for a thorough discussion on the potential impacts of these installations on the community.