Chennai: Chennai metro rail Ltd (CMRL) contractors punctured a high-tension (HT) underground cable supplying electricity to Sidco Nagar substation, leaving residents of Villivakkam, ICF and surrounding areas without electricity for nearly half a day on Wednesday. Schoolchildren and office-goers were the most affected, as power supply, which was cut off at 6.30am, could not be restored for areas electrified from Sidco Nagar substation until 1pm. TNPDCL officials blamed CMRL for the interruption. “CMRL shifted underground utilities near Nadhamuni theatre as part of Phase 2 project. They wanted to shift the HT cable connecting Sidco Nagar substation with Padi substation, so permission was given and power supply was managed through the other cable linked to ICF substation. During shifting of the other HT cable, this cable was punctured, resulting in a shutdown,” said a TNPDCL official.
