Energy Minister R. Nirmal Kumar said about 15,000 pillar boxes are being raised to keep out floodwater, more than 1,600 ageing transformers will be replaced, 55 new emergency vehicles join this week and 5,000 field staff have been approved, as Tamil Nadu’s power network prepares for the northeast monsoon.
Energy Minister R. Nirmal Kumar said about 15,000 pillar boxes are being raised to keep out floodwater, more than 1,600 ageing transformers will be replaced, 55 new emergency vehicles join this week and 5,000 field staff have been approved, as Tamil Nadu’s power network prepares for the northeast monsoon.
Tamil Nadu’s electricity network is being strengthened so that power stays on — and stays safe — through the northeast monsoon. Energy Resources and Law Minister R. Nirmal Kumar outlined the work at a press conference on Monday, October 19, 2026, after inspections in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram.
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| 400 kV substation at Guindy (started 2017) | Being fast-tracked |
| New substations | Tenders floated for 97 of about 600 needed statewide |
| Smart meters | Tender deferred by about two months to add safeguards |
On smart meters, the minister said Tamil Nadu has asked the Union government to keep consumers’ data on the electricity board’s own servers rather than on private cloud platforms, and to require eSIM technology — a step to protect the privacy of crores of households.
Stay away from fallen wires, waterlogged pillar boxes and transformers. Report power emergencies to the electricity board’s Minnagam helpline 94987 94987. All rain helplines: Monsoon Help Centre ›
Electricity Nirmal Kumar Northeast Monsoon TANGEDCO Infrastructure Day 163