Chennai: The lack of regular maintenance of the electricity distribution network has begun to show on the ground, with several neighbourhoods facing repeated interruptions in power supply.Incidents of transformers bursting, fires in pillar boxes and tripping of feeders have increased, resulting in frequent and prolonged power cuts and an unreliable supply, after the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) stopped routine maintenance of substations, ring main units, transformers and pillar boxes when the school examination season began in March.Residents of Ayanavaram, Madhavaram, Manali, Avadi, Guindy, Choolaimedu, Royapettah, Ramapuram complained of frequent power cuts since Thursday, while fluctuations in voltage were also reported in other areas. Vivekanandan of Mettu Street in Ayanavaram said the power supply was disrupted at least 10 times on Thursday, but TNPDCL personnel were not reachable to register complaints or restore supply. Gowtham of Madhavaram said the duration of the outages has become longer since Thursday, adding that the “extremely hot” nights indoors, without electricity, were making daily routines difficult due to lack of sleep. In Tiruvottiyur a pillar box caught fire and exploded on Thursday, according to a resident R Boopalan. Fire and Rescue Services personnel were called in to douse the flames.TNPDCL officials, however, maintained that the interruptions on the field were attended to quickly and in cases where the fault could not be fixed, power supply was arranged from alternative feeders. “Tripping of transformers and pillar boxes are unavoidable and there were dedicated teams to monitor such complaints. We have sought a list of areas where the maintenance works are due and those areas will be covered when the model code of conduct is rescinded. The neighbourhoods where interruptions and fluctuations were reported will be considered on priority,” said a senior TNPDCL official.
