Chennai, Oct 13:
A temporary power disruption affecting parts of the first floor of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat’s main building on Monday was caused by a technical fault in an electrical switch, the Electricity Board has clarified. The fault was rectified promptly, and normal power supply to the affected areas was fully restored by 11.25 am.
In a statement issued on October 12, the authorities said the interruption was confined to certain portions of the first floor. Electricity supply to all other floors of the Secretariat continued without disruption. The fault did not affect the entire Secretariat complex, according to the clarification.
The statement explained that the electrical distribution infrastructure within the Secretariat complex is maintained by the Buildings division of the Public Works Department (PWD). During an inspection, officials identified a technical fault in the B-phase power supply of one of the four electrical switches supplying electricity to the first floor.
Following the identification of the problem, PWD officials inspected the equipment and carried out the necessary repairs. Normal electricity supply to the affected portions was restored by 11.25 am, the statement said.
The authorities added that power supply across all floors of the Secretariat was functioning normally after the repair work. The clarification was issued after reports of the power disruption at the government headquarters.
The incident drew attention to the maintenance of electrical infrastructure in the Secretariat, which houses key government departments and ministers’ offices. The prompt restoration of supply helped limit the duration of the disruption.
The Electricity Board’s explanation attributed the interruption to a localised technical fault rather than a wider power supply problem. The authorities also clarified that the electrical installations within the Secretariat complex fall under the maintenance responsibility of the PWD’s Buildings division.
The incident highlights the importance of regular inspection and maintenance of electrical systems in major government buildings, where uninterrupted power is necessary for administrative work and public services.