Power smart meter rollout faces opposition in Rafiabad over poor infrastructure
Baramulla, Dec 8: Installation of smart electricity meters in Rafiabad has triggered resentment among residents, who say authorities are pushing ahead with metering without strengthening the decades-old power infrastructure that continues to rely on weak wooden poles and overburdened cables.
Smart meters are currently being installed across Chakloo, Ladoora, Nadihal and adjoining villages. However, locals complain that the basic system remains unchanged—no feeder segregation, no replacement of fragile supply lines, and no upgradation of transformers or LT/HT network. They argue that metering alone will not improve supply unless the underlying infrastructure is modernised.
“We are not against smart meters, but the problem is that the infrastructure is outdated. Meters were installed in our locality a month ago, yet voltage remains low, power cuts are frequent and bills have gone up,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Chakloo.
He said power hooking by some individuals also continues due to open and easily accessible cables, causing overload on transformers. “This is troubling the majority of genuine consumers. When infrastructure is weak, hooking becomes easier, leading to transformer damage and long outages,” Ahmad added.
Villagers claim that in winter especially, when consumption rises, transformers trip frequently and load fluctuations damage household appliances. They demand replacement of wooden poles with steel ones, installation of insulated cables, transformer enhancement and proper feeder segregation before further metering.
Residents from Nadihal and Ladoora echoed the concern, saying authorities should first ensure reliable supply. “With smart meters, bills may get regularised, but what about service quality? We need stable power, not just digital reading,” said another resident.
Assistant Executive Engineer PDD Watergam Rafiabad, Muhammad Shafi, said the department is aware of the challenges and system upgrade will follow in phases. “Smart meter installation is in progress. Infrastructure improvement is also part of the plan and will be carried out gradually. Consumers will see betterment once the process is completed,” he said.
Locals, however, insist that upgrades must precede metering, warning that the issue could escalate if ignored.
