While Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Duraimurugan presided over the state’s Kalaimamani awards this week, celebrating achievements in film and culture, residents in North Chennai neighborhoods were left to confront a grimmer reality: raw sewage contaminating their water sources.
While the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister preside over yet another film/cultural awards program, the people are left to drink sewage water from hand pumps.
North Chennai? Yeah. Even other political parties won’t make a fuss.#KalaimamaniAwards https://t.co/46GJ4FRmTx pic.twitter.com/V9pbQA9GB6
— Saikiran Kannan | 赛基兰坎南 (@saikirankannan) October 11, 2025
North Chennai Metrowater hand pumps are getting raw sewage. In Old Washermenpet 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/D69nbaLK0g
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) October 11, 2025
The issue underscores a long-standing grievance in North Chennai, where aging and overwhelmed infrastructure has led to frequent sewage backflows and contaminated groundwater. Despite the visible government focus on high-profile award ceremonies, the fundamental task of ensuring clean drinking water remains an unfulfilled promise for many.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Metrowater has announced a ₹946 crore project to replace 213 km of 40-year-old sewer lines in areas including Royapuram, Tondiarpet, and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar. The plan, part of the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam, aims to benefit over 20 lakh residents.
Metrowater managing director T.G. Vinay stated that the work, which includes expanding pipe diameters and installing new pump sets, is scheduled for completion by June 2026. He confirmed that some work has already begun.
However, local legislators indicate the problem is acute and the solution may be insufficient. “About 40% of the estimated project cost is allotted for RK Nagar, but this won’t be enough,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar MLA J.J. Ebenezer, highlighting that older areas like Kasimedu also require urgent attention.
With the government’s current public focus centered on cultural events, residents and critics are left questioning when their basic, life-and-death needs will receive the same level of top-level attention and urgency.
(Source: Times of India)
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