In December 2023, residents of Aseda village in Disa taluka, Banaskantha district, Gujarat, began facing severe challenges due to the sudden installation of multiple electricity poles on a key public road. The poles were erected without prior notice or consultation with the local community, leading to widespread distress and safety concerns.
Understand Gujarat Electricity Infrastructure Policy
The installation of electricity poles in Gujarat falls under the jurisdiction of the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and its subsidiary, Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL), responsible for distribution in the Banaskantha region. According to the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) guidelines, any new infrastructure such as poles or transformers must undergo a public consultation process, including approval from local governing bodies like the Gram Panchayat and the district administration.
The Gujarat Panchayat Act mandates that any public road obstruction or modification must be communicated to and approved by the Panchayat Samiti and residents. However, in the case of Aseda village, official sources confirm that the electricity poles were installed without requisite approvals or public disclosures, violating procedural norms.
Identify Who Is Affected and How
Aseda village, with an approximate population of 3,500 residents, depends heavily on agriculture, including crops like wheat, jowar, and cotton. The public road where the poles were installed serves as a primary route for farmers transporting goods to local markets and for school children attending the village’s primary school.
The poles, positioned in the middle of the road, have caused significant traffic disruptions, forcing pedestrians and vehicles to navigate around them dangerously. Local dairy cooperative vehicles and emergency services have reported delays. Elderly residents and children face heightened risk crossing this road daily. The local sarpanch, Bharatbhai Thakor, has received multiple complaints from villagers but has not succeeded in resolving the issue.
Officials from the Banaskantha District Rural Development Agency acknowledge receiving complaints but cite administrative delays and coordination challenges between the Electricity Department and Panchayat as reasons for the impasse.
Explain Why the Government Made This Change
According to representatives from GUVNL, the poles were part of an urgent project to expand electricity distribution and enhance street lighting in underserved areas of Disa taluka. The project, initiated in early 2023, aimed to install 120 streetlights across Aseda and neighboring villages, improving safety and promoting development.
The lack of timely coordination with the Panchayat and villagers was attributed to staffing shortages and accelerated project deadlines set by the Gujarat Energy Department’s 2023-24 Rural Electrification Enhancement Scheme (REES). Official documents indicate the scheme allocates ₹2.5 crore for infrastructure upgrades in Banaskantha district, with a completion target of March 2024.
Present Stakeholders’ Criticism and Concerns
Villagers and local leaders criticize the Electricity Department for overlooking standard protocols and community safety. “Ignoring our requests for over a year and then installing poles recklessly has endangered lives,” said a local schoolteacher. There are also allegations that some helpers, including Bharatbhai Thakor, dismissed villagers’ concerns prematurely.
Social activist groups in Banaskantha have demanded a transparent inquiry and adherence to government guidelines. They emphasize that infrastructure projects must balance development goals with community welfare and proper planning.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat State Electricity Regulatory Commission has received petitions urging stricter oversight of project implementation in rural areas.
Provide Practical Next Steps for Residents
Residents of Aseda village can take the following steps to address the issue:
- Document the problem: Collect photographs and testimonies of disruptions caused by the poles.
- Submit a formal complaint: File a grievance with the Banaskantha District Collector’s office and GUVNL’s local office.
- Request a Panchayat meeting: Convene a special session involving villagers, sarpanch, and electricity officials to discuss relocation or redesign.
- Engage the media: Report the issue to local news outlets, such as news.gujarat.in, to raise awareness and prompt action.
- Follow up with elected representatives: Contact the MLA of Disa constituency and Banaskantha Zilla Panchayat members for intervention.
Residents should also monitor ongoing infrastructure projects to ensure compliance with state policies and safety standards.
Aseda village’s recent challenges echo other local issues, such as waterlogging at the village veterinary hospital and the tragic loss of a gem artist, underscoring the need for improved governance and community engagement in Banaskantha.
Bottom Line
The unapproved installation of electricity poles in Aseda village has compromised public safety and disrupted daily life. Immediate action from GUVNL, the Banaskantha district administration, and the Gram Panchayat is essential to remove the poles and restore safe road access. Villagers must actively engage with authorities to ensure transparent, community-focused infrastructure development.