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How to Complain About Civic Problems in Chennai: 1913 and More

Potholes, garbage and dark streetlights go to GCC on 1913 or the Namma Chennai app. Water, power and ration problems have their own lines. Here is which to use.

21 October 2026

Chennai FalconMr. Parthasarathy aka Chennai Falcon is passionate about…

Civic problem in Chennai? Call the right number

For anything the Greater Chennai Corporation looks after, such as garbage, potholes, streetlights, stray animals, mosquito breeding or a blocked storm drain, the number to call is 1913. GCC shows it as its complaint number on its homepage, and the Revenue Department lists it as toll-free.

Not every problem is the Corporation’s, though. Drinking water and sewage belong to Metro Water, power cuts to the electricity utility, and ration shop issues to the civil supplies department. Using the right channel saves days. With the northeast monsoon active since 15 October, here is a guide to who handles what.

GCC: four ways to file a complaint

Call 1913. Give the street, landmark and a short description. Ask for the complaint number.
Namma Chennai app. GCC’s app, linked from its online services pages on Google Play and the App Store, lets you photograph the problem and pin its location, which removes any doubt about the spot.
WhatsApp chatbot. The GCC homepage lists 94450 61913 and 94455 51913. When it launched in August 2025 the chatbot handled grievances along with certificates and tax payments, The Week reported.
Online grievance portal. The Online Public Grievance form, listed on GCC’s online services, suits complaints that need a longer explanation or attachments.

Photos help. A picture of the overflowing bin or the missing manhole cover, with the date, makes it hard for a complaint to be closed as “not found”. Keep the complaint number in case you need to escalate.

Water, sewage and electricity

Metro Water: for no supply, contaminated water, pipe leaks or sewage overflow, call 1916 or 044-4567 4567, the board’s round-the-clock lines, as News Today reported when they were extended for the monsoon. For issues that stay unresolved, Metro Water holds a monthly grievance meeting at the area office in each of the 15 zones, typically on the second Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, chaired by the superintending engineer, according to DT Next.

Electricity: for a power failure, a snapped line or a sparking pole, call Minnagam on 94987 94987, which the TNEB website lists as available 24 hours. Do not try to move a fallen cable, especially in standing water.

Ration shops: for shortages, short weighment or a shop that is not open, the public distribution helpline is 1967. Unresolved complaints go to the Assistant Commissioner (Civil Supplies) for your area.

When a complaint is ignored

If a GCC complaint is closed without the work being done, or nothing happens within a reasonable time, step it up in this order:

Call 1913 again, quoting the original complaint number, and ask for it to be reopened.
Visit the zonal office or the ward assistant engineer with the complaint number and photos.
Write to your ward councillor, who can raise it with officials or at the council.
Write to the Commissioner at Ripon Buildings. A civic complaints guide on ComplaintHub lists commissioner@chennaicorporation.gov.in, along with the Mayor’s and Deputy Mayor’s email addresses.

Beyond the Corporation, the Tamil Nadu government runs a statewide grievance system, often called the CM Helpline, that accepts complaints against any state department or local body. The ComplaintHub guide points to it as the appeal route for unresolved GCC complaints. We could not confirm its current phone number and web address from an official page before publishing, so check tn.gov.in for the correct link.

Complaints about tax bills follow a separate route. For a wrong property tax or profession tax demand, GCC’s Revenue Department takes complaints through the grievance portal, on 1913, or by email at ro@chennaicorporation.gov.in. Attach a copy of the bill and your last receipt.

Corruption and demands for bribes

If an official demands money to process a certificate, connection or licence, do not pay. Report it to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, whose contacts are published on GCC’s own pages: 044-2232 1090, 044-2232 1085 and WhatsApp 94981 80936, or dvac@nic.in. The office is at 293, MKN Road, Alandur. Metro Water has also warned residents not to pay middlemen for new connections, which are handled only online.

Tips for a complaint that gets fixed

Describe one problem per complaint. “Streetlight not working outside 14, 3rd Cross Street, near the temple” works better than a list.
Use a landmark. Ward staff often know buildings better than door numbers.
For problems affecting a whole street, file it through the residents’ association as well, and ask neighbours to file too.
During heavy rain, report waterlogging and fallen trees as soon as possible so crews can be sent while the problem is visible.

Quick answers

What is the Chennai Corporation complaint number?

1913, toll-free.

Can I complain on WhatsApp?

Yes. GCC lists chatbot numbers 94450 61913 and 94455 51913.

Whom do I call for a water problem?

Metro Water on 1916 or 044-4567 4567.

Whom do I call for a power cut?

Minnagam on 94987 94987.

Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.