TNPDCL to revive local Fuse on Call helpline for Chennai power complaints
The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) announced on May 31, 2026, that it will revive its localised helpline 'Fuse on Call' to address power supply and outage complaints in Chennai. The decision aims to speed up the grievance redress process by allowing consumers to bypass the centralised system in areas with frequent interruptions.
Currently, electricity-related complaints in Chennai are handled through a dedicated central system called 'Minnagam'. Under this setup, consumers dial 9498794987 to report their grievances. Staff members at the central call centre then forward these complaints to the relevant power distribution section, which subsequently alerts the field personnel.
However, consumers have complained that this centralised system causes significant delays, as power-cut grievances take too long to reach the field staff. In response to these concerns, TNPDCL decided to reintroduce the 'Fuse on Call' option in areas where power interruptions are frequently reported.
A senior TNPDCL official confirmed that the utility has identified specific areas in North Chennai and suburban areas to launch the helpline. Under the revived system, each of these identified areas will have a local reporting mechanism with a dedicated phone number, enabling field personnel to attend to complaints immediately.
T Sadagopan, a consumer activist from Pattabiram, welcomed the decision to bring back the localised helpline. He noted that while city jurisdictions are smaller and allow personnel to reach spots quickly, suburban section offices cover vast areas, which causes delays for field staff trying to reach the location of a power issue.
Sadagopan added that the 'Fuse on Call' system is highly beneficial because it facilitates one-to-one communication, resulting in quicker redress. He expressed hope that the facility would eventually be extended to all areas.
Ramarao, a civic activist from Nanganallur, also highlighted the difficulties of the current system, stating that reaching out to 'Minnagam' or the local section office was never easy. He explained that residents in his area had even created a WhatsApp group with local TNPDCL personnel to report electricity grievances directly.
