Widespread power outages across several parts of Chennai from Monday (June 8, 2026) night until the early hours of Tuesday (June 9) triggered public outrage, with residents staging protests outside Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) offices and engaging in heated arguments with officials over the prolonged disruption and alleged delay in restoring power supply.

Power cuts caused by load issues, not shortage, says Minister R. Nirmalkumar

At around 2.30 a.m., nearly 100 residents laid siege to the EB office in Arumbakkam, demanding the immediate restoration of power. Expressing anger over recurring power cuts, a resident said, “Those who got our votes are sleeping peacefully in their homes. Should we suffer by standing here at this odd hour and spending sleepless nights without power? I am asking the staff about the daily power cuts we are facing, but they are only addressing today’s problem.”

Police personnel on night patrol reached the spot and attempted to disperse the agitated crowd. Residents, however, questioned whether the personnel could endure the summer heat without electricity, and asked them not to interfere with their protest. The police had a tough time bringing the situation under control.

Another resident alleged that an EB staff member had told them that power cuts during the night were unavoidable. “Who gave them the right to say such things? The police need not interfere. Let the MLA come here and give us an assurance,” she said.

Around 3.30 a.m., another group of nearly 100 residents gathered at the EB office in Madipakkam, questioning the staff on duty over the frequent power disruptions that had persisted for the past two days. The officials reportedly told them that the situation was beyond their control, citing transformer failures and multiple technical faults. Residents demanded the immediate restoration of supply, while some pleaded with the staff to rectify the faults at the earliest.

‘Helpline number of no use’

Raju, a resident of Ram Nagar, said, “My children are school-going. They are unable to sleep without electricity. How can they attend school in the morning without proper sleep? We came all the way to the EB office to find out when power would be restored. If we call the emergency helpline 1912, either nobody answers the call or we have to wait for a long time. Even when they respond, they only register a complaint and send us a complaint number through SMS. After that, nobody attends to the complaint.”

Ramesh of LIC Nagar said, “We have been facing severe power-related issues since Sunday (June 7) night, including voltage fluctuations, single-phase supply, and complete blackouts in Kuberan Nagar Extension, Govindasamy Nagar, and Lakshmi Nagar. It has become an endless ordeal. It is very difficult to reach the Minnagam call centre, and the staff at the EB office never answer calls. Even if we come here directly, they simply say that staff are attending to faults elsewhere without specifying where. They do not even record our complaints in the register.”

“Our ACs and electric items in the house became faulty due to power fluctuation. The situation is unbearable. We have to keep on buying new ones. We are paying a huge amount for the electricity bill but there is no response from the staff for our complaints. EB staff would come immediately and snap the power supply to any individual household whenever there are arrears on our part. But when we come with grievance, they fail to act immediately,” alleged Kamesh, a resident of 12th Street, Kuberan Nagar. 

Protests across city

Similar protests were witnessed in Washermenpet, Tiruvottiyur, Ambattur, Madhavaram, Manali, Avadi, Poonamallee, Thirunindravur, Medavakkam, Velachery, Perambur, Villivakkam, Manembedu, and Oragadam. Residents in Ambattur and surrounding areas, including S.V. Nagar, Vijayalakshmipuram, and Kallikuppam, reported power outages lasting more than three hours.

Angered by the prolonged disruptions, residents gathered in large numbers and laid siege to EB offices. They questioned officials and engaged in heated exchanges with staff. Frustrated by the lack of response, some residents resorted to road blockades. In one instance, protesters squatted on a road in the Red Hills area, disrupting traffic for more than two hours.

A resident said, “We have been facing power cuts for the past week. Electricity is cut around 9 p.m. and restored only at about 4 a.m. the next day. It has become unbearable. The MLA whom we elected should come here and resolve the issue immediately.”

Similar protests were also reported in Mangadu, Thirunindravur and several other parts of the city. Meanwhile two people were arrested by police for stealing HRC fuses at several places in Kamaraj Nagar, Avadi. This stealing caused power cuts in these areas, said EB officials.

Angered by the prolonged disruptions, Chennai residents gathered in large numbers and laid siege to EB offices.  | Video Credit: Special Arrangement