Tamil Nadu Power Utility Expands Workforce and Inspects Poles After Outages and Storm Damage

The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) responded to recurring electricity outages in Chennai and its suburbs by raising daily wages for outsourced field workers from Rs 766 to Rs 965 and adding additional crews across high‑load sections. The revised pay, which includes employer contributions and taxes, totals Rs 1,324 per worker per day for a 45‑day period, aiming to attract skilled staff and improve restoration speed. TNPDCL also began publishing daily outage details to increase transparency.

Separately, after wind gusts of 40‑50 km/h caused the collapse of 18 poles and other infrastructure in Tiruchirappalli, the utility launched a three‑month programme to identify and replace weakened poles and to prune trees near lines. Officials plan phased replacements before the monsoon season and have urged local authorities to inspect scaffolding and other temporary structures for safety.