Coimbatore, often known as the “Manchester of South India,” is a rapidly growing city where uninterrupted electricity plays a vital role in keeping homes, businesses, and industries running smoothly. On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) announced a scheduled power outage in several parts of the city. The shutdown was planned to carry out essential maintenance and tree-cutting operations to strengthen the distribution system.
The areas affected included Villankurichi, Kalapatty, Irugur, and KG Chavady, among others. Residents were notified in advance to make the necessary arrangements, as the power supply would remain disconnected between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Why Power Shutdowns Happen
Planned outages like these are part of routine operations by TANGEDCO. Electricity distribution networks face challenges such as:
Overloaded equipment in growing urban neighborhoods.
Old transmission lines that require upgrades.
Tree branches touching wires, which can lead to sparks or accidental blackouts.
Preventive checks on transformers and substations.
By conducting scheduled maintenance, TANGEDCO aims to prevent unplanned power failures that might cause inconvenience or even hazards.
Impact on Residents
For households in the affected areas, the outage meant adjusting their daily schedules. Many families prepared by:
Charging mobile devices and laptops in advance.
Storing drinking water and ensuring inverters were fully charged.
Rescheduling cooking times to avoid dependence on electric appliances.
Small businesses such as tailoring shops, bakeries, and printing centers also faced short interruptions, but most were prepared with backup solutions like UPS systems or generators.
Industrial Concerns
Coimbatore is a hub for textiles, engineering, and manufacturing units. Power disruptions, even when scheduled, can temporarily affect production lines. However, many industrial units plan their work shifts around TANGEDCO’s announcements. Factories in the Kalapatty and Irugur regions, where many small and medium enterprises operate, coordinated their machinery downtime with the outage period.
Industry experts believe that while such shutdowns may cause a few hours of lost productivity, the long-term benefits of a reliable power system outweigh the short-term challenges.
Tree-Cutting Operations
One of the key tasks carried out during this outage was tree-cutting near power lines. Coimbatore’s greenery, while beautiful, often creates problems when branches touch or fall on electrical wires. This not only causes outages but can also lead to dangerous sparks, especially during rainy and windy seasons.
By trimming and clearing these areas, TANGEDCO ensures that the safety of residents is prioritized while also reducing the chances of sudden blackouts.
Voices From the Community
Some residents welcomed the move, stating that advance information helped them prepare. A shop owner in Villankurichi mentioned, “We adjusted our opening hours and informed customers in advance. Though a full-day cut is tough, it is better than facing random power failures.”
However, a few residents also suggested that TANGEDCO explore shorter shutdowns in multiple phases instead of a continuous seven-hour outage. According to them, this would reduce the impact on both households and businesses.
Looking Ahead: Towards Smarter Power Management
Experts say that as Coimbatore continues to grow, the city needs to look at smarter energy solutions:
Expanding solar power adoption at the household and commercial level.
Introducing smart grids that can reroute power during maintenance.
Setting up more localized substations to balance demand and supply.
Improving real-time communication with the public about outages through apps and SMS alerts.
With technology-driven solutions, power disruptions could be managed more efficiently in the future.
How Residents Can Stay Prepared
Here are a few quick tips for residents during such power shutdowns:
1. Charge devices like mobiles, laptops, and emergency lamps beforehand.
2. Stock up on water, especially if your home relies on motor pumps.
3. Plan meals early in the day if you use electric stoves or ovens.
4. Keep candles, torches, or battery lamps handy.
5. If you run a small business, inform customers about service delays in advance.
These simple steps ensure that life goes on smoothly, even during long outages.
Conclusion
While a seven-hour power cut might have caused some inconvenience to residents of Villankurichi, Kalapatty, Irugur, and KG Chavady, the effort by TANGEDCO highlights the importance of proactive maintenance. Such actions not only ensure a stable electricity supply but also prevent larger disruptions in the future.
As Coimbatore continues its journey as a fast-growing industrial and residential hub, the focus on sustainable, reliable, and safe power management will play a critical role in supporting its progress.
For now, the scheduled power cut serves as a reminder that short-term inconvenience often paves the way for long-term stability.
