Residents across Chennai will experience significant electricity interruptions on May 31 as the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) undertakes essential maintenance operations.
The planned power outages are expected to affect over fifty localities, primarily in the southern and southwestern sectors of the city, between 9 am and 2 pm, aiming to enhance the reliability and sustainability of Chennai’s power infrastructure. Key neighbourhoods in Perungalathur, Madambakkam, Mudichur, and Nandambakkam are among the areas slated for temporary power suspension. This maintenance-driven intervention reflects the ongoing efforts by city authorities to ensure efficient energy distribution, minimise future disruptions, and promote sustainable urban energy management aligned with Tamil Nadu’s commitment to clean and reliable power.
Within Perungalathur, the affected zones include Gandhi Road, Krishna Road, Muthuvelar Road, and RMK Nagar, alongside parts of GST Road near Eraniamman Koil. Similarly, Madambakkam residents in areas like Paduvanchery, Annai Sathiya Nagar, and Sai Balaji Nagar will face power cuts. Mudichur’s Amudham Nagar and Sastri Nagar, as well as Nandambakkam’s Manapakkam, Casa Granda Castle, and Laxmi Nagar, will also experience supply interruptions. Power officials have communicated that although a five-hour outage window has been set, restoration could occur sooner if maintenance tasks are completed ahead of schedule. This flexibility aims to reduce inconvenience while maintaining safety and operational standards.
This round of scheduled outages follows a recent similar exercise just two days prior, when power supply was disrupted in over fifty locations including Tambaram, Ambattur, and Thiruverkadu. During that event, key areas such as Rajakilpakkam Camp Road in Tambaram, J.J. Nagar Church Road in Ambattur, and Mahalakshmi College vicinity in Thiruverkadu were impacted. These systematic maintenance efforts underscore the city’s proactive approach towards upgrading and sustaining its energy grid. From an urban planning perspective, these power management initiatives are crucial for Chennai’s broader transition towards eco-friendly, resilient, and equitable urban infrastructure. Scheduled outages, while inconvenient, provide necessary opportunities to upgrade ageing electrical networks, integrate smart grid technologies, and enhance capacity for renewable energy incorporation.
Energy experts note that such maintenance exercises are indispensable for reducing unplanned outages that can severely disrupt commercial and residential life. By systematically addressing vulnerabilities in the grid, Chennai can improve energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions, supporting the city’s climate action commitments. However, public reactions to power interruptions remain mixed, with residential and commercial stakeholders urging for greater transparency, better scheduling, and enhanced compensation mechanisms. Several civil society groups advocate for increased investments in renewable energy sources and distributed generation systems to minimise future reliance on planned outages.
City authorities have responded by promising improved communication and scheduling to ensure residents and businesses can better plan around these outages. They have also highlighted ongoing projects aimed at integrating solar and other clean energy sources into Chennai’s grid, reflecting a long-term vision for sustainable urban energy management. The maintenance on May 31 exemplifies the balancing act faced by urban utilities: the need to maintain and upgrade infrastructure without excessively inconveniencing a growing metropolitan population. For a city like Chennai, with its expanding industrial base, residential demands, and climate resilience goals, such efforts are vital.
As Tamil Nadu progresses on its energy transition journey, stakeholders must collectively navigate the challenges posed by temporary disruptions while investing in innovations that secure stable, green, and affordable power for all citizens.
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