Mammer locals decry smart meter installation without prior info

Umar Raina
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07 Feb 2026

Ganderbal, Feb 06: Residents of Mammer A village in Kangan area of Ganderbal district on Friday accused the Power Development Department (PDD) of installing smart electricity meters in their locality without prior consultation or awareness. The locals alleged that the department went ahead with the installation despite repeated requests to halt the process, leaving residents feeling ignored and unheard. They said the move has triggered resentment among the villagers, most of whom belong to economically weaker sections. According to the residents, Mammer A is a small village with around 40 households, largely dependent on daily wage labour for livelihood. “PDD has skipped many villages and directly installed smart meters in our area,” the locals alleged. They expressed concern that the installation of smart meters would further increase their financial burden. “Our electricity bills are already high, amounting to nearly Rs 1,820 per month. With smart meters, the burden will only increase,” they said. A local woman said that the majority of residents are labourers with weak income sources and would find it difficult to cope with additional expenses. “How can we afford smart meters when we are already struggling to make ends meet?” she questioned. The villagers clarified that they are not opposed to the installation of smart meters per se, but demanded a uniform and phased implementation. “If smart meters are to be installed, they should first be installed in all villages. Why target our village alone?” they asked.