Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Vasai-Virar Residents Postpone Highway Protest, Plan MSEDCL March
People in Vasai-Virar are unhappy about new smart electricity meters.
They say the meters were installed quickly and without their permission.
Some residents also say their electricity bills became much higher after installation.
A planned road-blocking protest on September 7 has been postponed.
Organizers did not want to create traffic problems or trouble during religious and festival periods.
Instead, people from different political and social groups will march to the MSEDCL office.
The march will start at 4:00 PM from a petrol pump in Vasai East.
Protesters say they may block the highway later if their concerns are not resolved.
The planned September 7 highway blockade at Shirsad Phata against smart meters has been postponed.
Organizers cited concerns about traffic congestion and inconvenience during Paryushan and the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival.
An all-party protest march will proceed from a Vasai East petrol pump to the main MSEDCL office at 4:00 PM.
Residents allege that MSEDCL installed smart meters rapidly and without consent, leading to inflated or doubled bills.
Protesters warned of a future Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway blockade if no satisfactory resolution is reached.
- Who
- Residents of Vasai-Virar, along with political and social organization representatives, are organizing the protest.
- What
- A planned highway blockade was postponed and replaced by a march opposing mandatory smart-meter installations.
- When
- The highway protest was planned for September 7; the march is scheduled for 4:00 PM, with no date specified in the article.
- Where
- The march will travel from a Vasai East petrol pump to the main Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited office; the postponed blockade was planned at Shirsad Phata on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway.
- Why
- Organizers cited traffic and public inconvenience concerns, while residents are demanding a halt to smart-meter installations and disputing higher electricity bills.
- Postponed action
- Highway blockade at Shirsad Phata on September 7
- Replacement action
- All-party protest march to the main MSEDCL office
- March time
- 4:00 PM
- March route
- Vasai East petrol pump to the main MSEDCL office
- Residents' complaint
- Smart meters were allegedly installed rapidly and without prior consent
- Billing allegation
- Residents allege the meters caused inflated or doubled electricity bills
- Future warning
- Protesters may launch a highway blockade if no satisfactory resolution follows the march