Urban Development Minister K.N. Nehru clarified in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that no deaths had occurred in Trichy due to sewage-contaminated drinking water. He attributed the recent health issues to beverages consumed during a temple festival, not to the city’s water supply.The statement came during a special attention motion raised by Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who claimed that sewage had mixed with drinking water in Ward 10 of Trichy Corporation’s Uraiyur area for over 15 days. He alleged that four people had died and over 50 others had fallen ill, many of whom were hospitalized — including five in critical condition.
Palaniswami blamed the municipal officials for inaction and demanded strict measures against those responsible, along with compensation for the families of the deceased.
In response, Minister Nehru stated that the Trichy Corporation’s health department had already initiated appropriate measures in the affected areas. He confirmed that 53 people had been treated for symptoms like diarrhea. However, he denied any link between the deaths and water contamination.
He clarified that a post-mortem of a young girl who passed away showed no evidence of death due to diarrhea. Another deceased woman, Marudhamma, had been unwell for 10 days and died of natural causes. A third individual, Latha, reportedly died of a heart condition.
Minister Nehru further explained that a temple Chithirai festival had taken place in the area, where buttermilk and other cold beverages were served. Only those who consumed the beverages were affected, not those who drank municipal water. Samples of the beverages have been collected and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible.
He also highlighted the ongoing infrastructure improvements in the Trichy West constituency, stating that Rs. 40 crore had been allocated for laying new drinking water pipelines. Reiterating his long-standing service in the area as MLA and minister for 20 years, he firmly stated, “No one has died due to sewage-contaminated water in Trichy.”
This clarification came amidst political tension and growing public concern over drinking water safety in urban areas.