CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) has brought relief to Chennai's power consumers who endure long waiting times on the 'queue' when calling Minnagam -- 9498794987 -- to report power cuts. It has revived the defunct fuse-off call (FOC) helplines and established 77 additional helplines to cater to areas where interruptions occur frequently and for extended periods.
Each FOC team, assigned a dedicated phone number, will comprise four members with a dedicated vehicle to rush to locations and address faults in transformers, poles, overhead and underground cables to restore power supply, said TNPDCL chairman and managing director J Radhakrishnan.
Funds have been released to superintendent engineers concerned and further disbursed to section officers where the FOC is set to become operational. “A telephone operator will attend grievance calls and record the complaints and travel with the FOC team in the vehicle to keep updating them,” added the official.
The FOC system, a localized grievance redressal mechanism, was discontinued with the introduction of the centralized call center Minnagam during the previous regime. However, consumers' major complaint was that the centralized helpline (94987-94987) was often unreachable. Some fuse-off call helplines were partially functional in certain areas.
While Minnagam continues to operate, the revival of FOC is expected to reduce anomalies in the complaint mechanism. In Chennai North region, comprising 71 sections, 15 FOC helplines are already functional, while an additional 19 helplines have been introduced to focus on areas like Perambur, Villivakkam, R K Nagar, and outskirts like Ponneri.
Chennai South region, which had eight FOC helplines, has increased the number to 24 with dedicated teams deployed for Madipakkam, Kundrathur, Porur, and Poonamallee. The Adyar region has increased its FOC helplines from six to 20 with a dedicated team for all its 12 subdivisions. “Tambaram and Thoraipakkam section officers have been provided additional teams,” said an official. Avadi region also received additional FOC helplines beyond the existing 19.
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About the Author
Venkadesan S
Venkadesan S is a Special Correspondent who primarily covers electricity, aviation, the information commission, central investigation agencies, and metro rail.
