Energy Minister Nirmal Kumar Launches 10 Monitoring Teams, 125 Special Vehicles to Fix Chennai Night-Time Power Outages

PRESS RELEASE Hon'ble Minister for Energy and Electricity Thiru C.D.R. Nirmal Kumar launches 10 monitoring teams and 125 special fault-rectification patrol vehicles to swiftly resolve sporadic, unforeseen night-time power outages in Chennai and its suburbs caused by faults and other reasons. At the TANGEDCO Head Office, Chennai, today (10.06.2026), the Hon'ble Minister for Energy and Electricity Thiru C.D.R. Nirmal Kumar launched 10 high-level monitoring teams and 125 special fault-rectification patrol vehicles to swiftly resolve sporadic, unforeseen night-time power outages in Chennai and its suburbs. Additionally, apart from the existing 70 "Fuse-off-Call" fault rectification centres, 77 new fault rectification centres have now been created and are being brought into operation immediately. Further, 5 special MRT teams, 4 special vehicles equipped with equipment to instantly detect and repair high-voltage underground cable faults, and 7 vehicles to promptly repair faults in high-voltage and extra-high-voltage overhead lines are on standby. While Tamil Nadu has adequate power availability through generation and procurement, some urban and suburban areas occasionally experience power outages due to unforeseen causes such as underground cable faults, transformer malfunctions, line disconnections, weather factors including rain and wind, RMU faults, and extra-high-voltage transformer faults. To swiftly rectify such outages and ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers, an extensive review meeting was held yesterday (09.06.2026) chaired by the Hon'ble Minister for Energy and Electricity Thiru C.D.R. Nirmal Kumar in the presence of the Chief Secretary. Based on the directions issued at this meeting, on the orders of Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDCO Dr. Se. Radhakrishnan, IAS, 10 special monitoring teams have been immediately constituted to monitor power outages and coordinate restoration efforts across the State. Additional monitoring engineers, executive engineers and field staff required for these teams have been appointed, and they will work alongside the existing maintenance and mobile restoration teams. Key functions of the special monitoring teams: - Real-time monitoring of major power outages and faults. - Immediate collection of information on large-scale faults. - Monitoring the progress of power restoration works. - Coordinating alternate power supply arrangements, including feedback. - Ensuring availability of manpower, vehicles, equipment and maintenance materials. - Reviewing complaints received through the Fuse-off-Call system and complaint centres. - Ensuring prompt communication of restoration information to consumers. - Identifying repeatedly fault-prone areas and recommending and implementing permanent solutions. Areas of special focus: These teams will pay special attention to recurring cable faults, prolonged outages, transformer faults, feeder disconnections, substation equipment faults, areas affecting drinking water, hospitals and other essential services, and areas generating a high volume of complaints via helpline and social media. Additional financial authority for field staff: To enable swift emergency maintenance and immediate power restoration, emergency expenditure authority has been granted up to Rs. 1 lakh for Chief Engineers, Rs. 75,000 for Superintending Engineers, Rs. 50,000 for Executive Engineers, Rs. 25,000 for Assistant Executive Engineers, and Rs. 10,000 for Assistant Engineers/Junior Engineers. Permission has also been granted to release additional funds immediately as needed. Strengthening power services statewide: Tamil Nadu currently serves about 3.52 crore electricity consumers through 1,910 substations, over 4.47 lakh transformers, and an extensive power distribution network. These special monitoring teams will function to swiftly rectify faults across this vast network, reduce the duration of outages, and improve consumer satisfaction. The Hon'ble Minister Thiru C.D.R. Nirmal Kumar stated that providing quality, uninterrupted power supply to the public is the Government's highest priority, and directed all officials to work with full dedication to take immediate action on outage-related complaints and restore supply in the shortest possible time. In line with the guidance of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, TANGEDCO continues to take steps to further improve power distribution services through modern technology, enhanced monitoring systems and swift field operations. Annexure - Chennai Special Monitoring Teams (TNEB): The Chairman and Managing Director of TNPDCL will guide all teams and will also conduct direct inspections wherever necessary. Team 1 (Lead: Thiru P.N. Sridhar, IAS, Managing Director, Green Energy Corporation, 97899 10435) - Areas: Anna Nagar, Kodambakkam and adjoining areas. Team 2 (Lead: Thiru M. Govinda Rao, IAS, Managing Director, TNPGCL, 94443 80030) - Areas: Chinmaya Nagar, Virugambakkam, Azhwar Thirunagar, Valasaravakkam and adjoining areas. Team 3 (Lead: Engineer A. Krishnavel, Managing Director, TANTRANSCO, 94450 60400) - Areas: Puliyanthope, CMBT, Madhavaram, Basin Bridge, Thondiarpet, Vyasarpadi, Kodungaiyur, Kaladipet, Manali and adjoining areas. Team 4 (Lead: Engineer C. Rajalakshmi, Director (Technical), Power Generation Corporation, 94458 52222) - Areas: T. Nagar, CIT Nagar, West Mambalam, Vadapalani, Thelambedu and adjoining areas. Team 5 (Lead: Engineer Ashok Kumar, Director (Transmission Projects), 94458 56666) - Areas: Central, Kilpauk, Purasawalkam, Arumbakkam and adjoining areas. Team 6 (Lead: Engineer Kalaivani, Chief Engineer (PPP), 94454 48804) - Areas: Villivakkam, SIDCO Nagar, Madhavaram, Ambattur and adjoining areas. Team 7 (Lead: Engineer John Dalton, Director (Projects), 94431 66333) - Areas: Muttukadu, Injambakkam, Sholinganallur, Perungudi and adjoining areas. Team 8 (Lead: Engineer L. Leela, Chief Engineer (MM), 94458 57627) - Areas: MKB Nagar, Perambur, ICF, GKM Colony, Poombukar Nagar and adjoining areas. Team 9 (Lead: Engineer P. Saravanan, Chief Engineer (Transmission Projects & Power Infrastructure Operations), 94454 12229) - Areas: Porur, Iyyappanthangal, Mangadu, DLF, Kattupakkam and adjoining areas. Team 10 (Lead: Engineer Kanchana, Chief Engineer (P&C), Chennai, 94453 97070) - Areas: Ramapuram, Guindy, Alandur, Velachery, Madipakkam, Adambakkam, Nanganallur and adjoining areas. (Each team comprises a Managing Director/Chief Engineer-level officer, one or two Executive Engineer/Assistant Executive Engineer-level officers, and one Foreman-level officer. Contact numbers are listed above for each team.) Speaking to the press, the Hon'ble Minister for Energy and Electricity Thiru C.D.R. Nirmal Kumar greeted everyone and stated: In line with the directions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, special measures are being undertaken across Chennai city on a war footing. As part of this, 125 vehicles and over 500 engineers, field staff and linemen have been deployed for night patrolling across all zones. These teams will respond immediately to the spot in case of any power distribution fault. Over the past few days, power distribution faults and repeated outages have been reported in certain parts of Chennai. During the inspection, it was found that some outages were caused by damaged power lines and technical faults, while in some places, anti-social elements were found to have deliberately removed electrical fuses. In particular, similar power distribution faults and fuse-tampering incidents have been repeatedly reported in areas including Perambur, Ward 51, Virugambakkam, Kodungaiyur, Madipakkam and Avadi. Incidents in these areas are being closely monitored and their causes are being thoroughly investigated. Additional patrol teams and monitoring arrangements have been put in place to prevent recurrence. Round-the-clock patrolling, additional staff, emergency maintenance equipment and rapid fault-rectification teams have been deployed in these areas. All measures are being undertaken on a war footing to provide immediate resolution to public complaints. Each team has been provided with the required electrical fuses, safety equipment and emergency maintenance devices. Autos have also been arranged for quick response in areas inaccessible to large vehicles. Further, 10 high-level monitoring teams headed by senior IAS officers, Directors and Managing Directors have been constituted. These teams conduct direct inspections in each zone and monitor overnight patrol operations. Complaints received through the Fuse-off-Call system and information circulating on social media are being continuously monitored, with immediate action taken. Special arrangements have been made to provide swift resolution to every complaint received from the public. Additional funds have been allocated to each division to arrange additional manpower and vehicle facilities. Permissions have also been granted for hiring contract staff and additional vehicles as needed. As similar incidents have repeatedly occurred in certain areas over the past ten days, a detailed investigation into their background is underway. In connection with recurring fuse-tampering incidents in the Avadi area, two individuals have been identified through CCTV footage and arrested. Additional monitoring is being carried out in all key areas to prevent recurrence of such incidents. There is no issue relating to power generation or shortage in the State. A temporary impact was recently experienced in some areas during peak hours due to reduced wind power generation. However, the State has adequate power generation reserves; power distribution faults are largely due to technical issues in the distribution network rather than a shortage of power. Furthermore, details of where, when, and for how long power supply was affected across the State and in Chennai city each day, the reasons for the same, and the time taken for restoration are being transparently published for the public through the helpline and social media. Providing uninterrupted, quality power supply remains TANGEDCO's foremost objective, and all necessary preventive and emergency measures continue to be undertaken with full preparedness. Thus stated the Hon'ble Minister. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9