The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) is set to begin work to supply electricity through underground cables in the chariot streets of 10 well-known temples, including Thiruvidanthai Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple (Chengalpattu), Melmalayanur Angalamman Temple (Viluppuram) and Samayapuram Mariamman Temple (Tiruchirappalli).
In many places, power is still distributed through overhead lines, which can snap during heavy rain or cyclones, leading to outages and safety risks. Large temples across the state conduct annual chariot processions that draw thousands of devotees.
As a precaution during such events, electricity is often switched off in chariot streets to protect the public. To address this recurring issue, there has been a demand to replace overhead lines with underground cabling in these festival routes.
TNEB said survey work has been completed and cable-laying will start soon in the chariot streets of the identified temples, including Thayumanaswamy Temple (Tiruchirappalli), Rajagopalaswamy Temple (Mannargudi), Mahalingeswarar Temple (Thiruvidaimarudur), Mangalanathaswamy Temple (Uthirakosamangai), Kalaiyar Kovil, Sornakaleeswarar Temple and Chidambaram Natarajar Temple.
The plan also includes providing power through underground cables along the Tiruvannamalai Girivalam path by removing electric poles. TNEB noted that underground cabling is already in place in the chariot streets of 16 temples, while work is in the final stage in 11 more, including Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple and Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple.
