Mass protest in Vijayawada against smart power meters and tariff hikes

A massive protest led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) erupted in Vijayawada on Friday against the installation of smart electricity meters and a steep increase in power tariffs. The CPI(M) activists gathered at the CPDCL headquarters, demanding the rollback of what they termed as “corporate-driven reforms” that burden consumers.

Addressing the gathering, CPI(M) leaders Ch. Babu Rao and D. Kasinath accused the ruling TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of betraying public trust by imposing ₹15,485 crore worth of adjustment charges within a year of coming to power, despite promises to reduce electricity costs. Protesters also denounced the forcible installation of smart meters, linking them to corporate interests, particularly Adani.

Mr. Babu Rao said: “Over 50,000 petitions were submitted to CPDCL officials, who initially hesitated to receive them.” The petitions were collected from the public during the party’s door to door campaign and padayatras. The protesters, including many women, displayed the petitions symbolically and raised slogans condemning the government’s silence and double standards, he said, adding, the TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP, who had once opposed smart meters and filed court cases against them, are now enforcing them silently.

The CPIM leaders warned that smart meters, controlled remotely by private firms, would lead to inflated bills and 24/7 surveillance, calling them “Adani bombs in every household.” They claimed that two crore existing meters were being replaced with prepaid smart meters, shifting financial burdens to the public while giving discounted rates to large corporations.

The CPI(M) vowed to escalate the agitation state-wide if the government failed to reverse its decisions. “If they tamper with the people’s electricity, they will lose their political power,” said Babu Rao, invoking the memory of the 2000 electricity movement. The protest ended with a call for public resistance and street-level action across Andhra Pradesh.