Frequent power cuts leave residents fuming

Several houses in Virugambakkam, Kolathur and other parts of the city were plunged in darkness. Surprisingly, there was power in a few others on the same street. Complaints whenever possible were registered without any further action. When asked about this, a senior TANGEDCO official said, “In a major emergency we divert department staff from other districts to attend to repair work. It might not be possible to answer individual calls. We only hope that the public will understand and cooperate with us.” 

The reason, according to TANGEDCO officials, is because available power is being given in rotation to ensure that all are benefitted. Meanwhile electricity minister P Thangamani stated 20,000 poles (up from 10,000 poles as stated yesterday) are to be replaced in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram districts. Though he stated that “normalcy would return by Monday to all affected areas” it was taken with a pinch of salt as officials said the major work was in replacing damaged poles. 

Though enough poles have reached the affected areas from Andhra Pradesh, they have to be erected in cement bases which have to necessarily undergo a minimum four days of curing with water before the insulators and wires can be attached to the pole. It is similar to the curing process followed in houses under construction.” 

Due to these long outages, many residents of Chennai suburbs have taken temporary residence with relatives within the city as their areas were without power for the fourth successive day.