Shock Over Smart Meters: Protests and Rising Bills Stir Anger in Himachal

What was meant to be a step toward modernising Himachal Pradesh’s power sector has instead sparked outrage. The rollout of smart electricity meters has triggered protests from employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, pensioners, and consumers alike — all voicing concerns over soaring bills and the fairness of the programme.

The latest demonstration unfolded outside the Chief Engineer’s office at Mattan Sidh, where employees and retirees gathered to oppose a directive that prioritised installing smart meters in their own homes. Union leaders called the move discriminatory and warned that the technology, far from being consumer-friendly, could saddle the state with an additional burden of ₹2,500 crore — costs they fear will eventually trickle down to ordinary households.

For many residents, the anxiety isn’t theoretical. Complaints of shockingly high bills have surfaced across districts. In Chail Chowk, a medical shop owner who usually paid around ₹400 a month was stunned to receive a bill of ₹92,746 after a smart meter was installed. “My consumption hasn’t changed,” he said, demanding a recheck of the readings. Local traders have rallied behind him, pressing the electricity department for answers.

The controversy has already forced the board to tweak its rollout strategy in Kangra, where strong opposition led to the decision to install smart meters first in employee households. But with protests growing louder and consumer trust eroding, the issue has snowballed into one of the biggest debates in Himachal’s power sector.

As March 9 approaches, union leaders are threatening a larger protest in Dharamshala if the directive isn’t withdrawn. For now, the promise of “smart” technology has left many feeling anything but empowered.