Members of the CPI (M) from Eral taluk who came to Thoothukudi Collectorate on Monday seeking supply of treated drinking water to 16 villages.
| Photo Credit: N. Rajesh
A petition submitted by the members of the CPI(M) and residents of Mukkani village at the weekly grievance redress meeting held at Thoothukudi Collectorate on Monday alleged that people in 16 villages in the district were affected as untreated and murky drinking water was supplied directly from River Tamirabharani.The petitioners, led by S. Nambirajan, CPI(M)’s Srivaikuntam union committee secretary, said water from River Tamirabharani was supplied directly to the overhead tank located in Vazhavallan in Eral taluk, from where the drinking water was supplied to 16 villages, including Vazhavallan, Mukkani, Umarikadu, Lakshmipuram, Korkai, Athisayapuram and Kottarakurichi.The petition further said the motor used for treating the drinking water at the tank had broken down about two years ago, and hence waster was supplied directly to the villages without any purification. The petitioners alleged that the water was turbid and unclean, causing various illnesses among the villagers.Mr. Nambirajan said the villagers were particularly affected during the summer season, adding many had already fallen ill due to consumption of unclean drinking water.The petitioners urged the collector to initiate necessary steps to ensure the supply of safe and clean drinking water to these villages.A delegation of the People’s Welfare Federation, led by M. Asan, district secretary of Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, submitted at the meeting demanding that the Tamil Nadu government immediately introduce a 90% local employment policy, giving preference to the youth from the State in jobs generated by the growing number of industries, government and public sector undertakings and various industrial projects.The petitioners also urged the government to introduce a special legislation to this effect without any delay.Thoothukudi District Collector Vishu Mahajan, who presided over the grievance redress meeting, received the petitions from the public. Published - August 24, 2026 09:43 pm IST
