Corporation will also alert consumers about the estimated time for power restoration
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: Soon power consumers can expect an SMS alert on power cuts from the TN Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco). As part of its new initiative the corporation will also alert consumers about the estimated time for power restoration.
According to the new proposal, consumers will receive an SMS in advance about the planned power shutdown to enable them to organise their day better and finish important work. In case of unplanned and sudden outages, the consumers will be alerted about the reason for the power cut in the first SMS, and subsequently, a second SMS will inform consumers on the estimated time of restoration.
“A contract has been given to a vendor to develop software. Once it is done, the system will be launched by the end of this year,” said a senior Tangedco official.
The proposed power cut SMS alert system would be introduced in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and 107 other towns in the state as part of the Central government-funded Restructured- Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) scheme. The SMS system would be extended to all consumers in the state, depending on public response.
An earlier SMS alert facility, launched by Tangedco to send consumption charges and due date of payment, is already being used by around 1.8 crore consumers. It has also reduced the number of consumers defaulting on their bill payments by 3 to 5 per cent from the earlier 15 per cent in the city, said an official.
Welcoming the SMS alert, T. Sadagopan, president of TN Progressive Consumer Centre, said that one could plan work by either advancing or postponing it as per the power cut schedule.
( Source : dc )
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