News Tamil Nadu

Prolonged Power Outage Across TN Contrary To Dravidian Model Govt’s Claim Of ‘Power Cut-Free’ State; Enraged Public Protests, Locks EB Offices

June 3, 2024
The Commune

On 31 May 2023, the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, issued a self-congratulatory statement declaring Tamil Nadu as a “state free from power cuts”. This proclamation, however, seemed to awaken a dormant issue that had previously been overlooked. Following the statement, the media spotlight shifted towards the power cut issues, amplified by the online community’s reactions and trolls. The aftermath of the press release saw numerous reports of prolonged power outages, particularly during nighttime, in many peripheral areas of Chennai. Instances of low voltage were also widely reported.

As temperatures soared in Chennai, the city’s power demand and usage reached unprecedented levels of 4,769 MW and 101.755 million units respectively on recent days, surpassing the previous figures of 4,648 MW and 100.04 million units. This is not a first instance for the city, even last year fate was the same.

TANGEDCO’s X handle received numerous complaints from across the city. Some residents reported difficulties in reaching TANGEDCO’s centralized customer service ‘Minnagam.’ K Krishnaveni from Medavakkam expressed her frustration, stating that there was no response to calls during the night. She emphasized the hardship faced by the elderly and children in her household due to nighttime power cuts and urged TANGEDCO to ensure a consistent power supply during the summer.

M Krishnan, a 42-year-old resident of Vignarajapuram, told TNIE that power outages at night have become a common occurrence. He reported that their area had no power from 11 PM to 1 AM for two consecutive days. Power outages were also reported in other parts of the city, including Velachery, T Nagar, and Mylapore.

A press release on 1st June stated that TANGEDCO successfully managed Chennai’s high demand of 4,769 MW without any issues and there was no discrepancy between power demand and supply. However, due to the extreme heat, repairs were being carried out on transformers, underground cables, and power lines, leading to power cuts in some areas. The utility has directed officials to take measures to ensure a continuous power supply.

Meanwhile, netizens criticized the DMK government’s claim that Tamil Nadu was a power-surplus state in the social media highlighting issues of power cuts and low voltages. They made a mockery out of it.

Complaining of frequent power cuts and erratic supply over the past few days, residents of the Ambattur, Avadi, Ennore, Manali localities in Chennai resorted to protests at midnight. They laid siege to TANGEDCO offices at several places in the city. For the past 15 days, residents have been facing prolonged outages at night and power cuts thrice in the daytime, in Ambattur and surrounding areas like Korattur, Kallikuppam, Madhanankuppam, Gandhi Nagar, and Thirumalai Priya Nagar.

The erratic power supply, characterised by sudden disruptions both during the day and night, has left residents grappling with the sweltering heat. Further, high voltage supply in certain places posed risk to electric equipment.

Irked by this, a large number of residents had gathered at the TANGEDCO offices in Ayapakkam and Avadi. They had a heated exchange of words with the staff members and demanded immediate restoration of power and uninterrupted supply.

Similarly, residents of Nehru Nagar, Ennore, resorted to protest on Katthivakkam High Road demanding uninterrupted power supply, affecting traffic flow. They dispersed following assurance from the officials concerned. Residents were seen gathered at night at the TANGEDCO offices in Guduvanchery and a few places in the southern areas of Chennai.

Residents in the Ayanavaram area have been expressing their frustration over persistent power outage issues for the past month and a half. Despite attempts to address the problem, such as repairing the electrical pillar, the power supply remains unreliable. One resident mentioned that the power is restored for only about half an hour before cutting out again. Another resident questioned how long they would have to endure this inconvenience, especially when power cuts disrupt their mornings and nights, affecting their ability to sleep and work the next day. Adding to the dissatisfaction, residents have complained about the lack of responsiveness from the electricity board (EB), citing instances of electricians arriving intoxicated and encountering water shortages due to power cuts.

During the May 2024, the regions like Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, and Coimbatore faced the brunt, particularly during nighttime. The delta districts were hit hard by these outages, jeopardizing the irrigation needed for crops, potentially leading to crop failure. Residents of Saidapet took to the streets to protest against the recurring power cuts, blocking the National Highway in frustration

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