Minister attributes Ennore fish kill to sewage; fishers disagree

Environment and Climate Change Minister V K Rajeev told the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday that sewage from nearby areas, and not toxic industrial effluents, caused the pollution that led to mass fish deaths in the Kosasthalaiyar river and Ennore estuary. Rajeev was replying to a calling attention motion moved by AIADMK floor leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. He said the government has constituted a four-member expert committee to investigate the incident and submit a detailed report within 10 days. Officials from the fisheries department and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board have collected water and dead fish samples for laboratory analysis, and 2,150 kg of dead fish have been recorded.

PMK MLA A Ganesh Kumar had alleged that industrial units in North Chennai repeatedly discharged effluents into the Kosasthalaiyar. Fishers rejected the government's explanation and accused it of shielding industries.