A fresh controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district after food and drinking water meant for migrant workers affected by the recent ammonia gas leak were allegedly transported in a garbage collection vehicle.
The incident comes in the aftermath of the ammonia leak at a seafood processing and export unit located at Kannigaipair village near Periyapalayam in Tiruvallur district. The gas leak left several workers dead and dozens hospitalised, prompting authorities to evacuate and temporarily shelter workers who had been staying at the factory premises.
According to reports, around 145 migrant workers from states including Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal were moved to a private marriage hall near the factory and accommodated there as a precautionary measure. The workers included women and even some minors who were residing in the labour quarters attached to the facility.
As the displaced workers were being provided food, water and medical assistance, a new controversy emerged when drinking water bottles and food packets were allegedly transported to the relief camp in a garbage collection vehicle belonging to the local panchayat.
Visuals from the site reportedly showed packaged food items, including curd rice and tomato rice, along with bottled drinking water being carried in the vehicle typically used for waste collection. The incident triggered criticism and raised questions about the manner in which relief materials were being supplied to workers already affected by a major industrial accident.
The workers had been shifted to a marriage hall owned by the Govinda Bhavan Trust, where authorities arranged temporary accommodation and medical screening. Officials also conducted health checks on the evacuated workers while treatment continued for those hospitalised following exposure to the ammonia gas.
This raises questions about whether adequate care was taken while managing relief operations for those displaced by the industrial accident.
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