A Central audit report has flagged gaps in piped drinking water coverage in Tamil Nadu’s public institutions, stating that 1,626 panchayat union schools and 6,444 anganwadis do not have drinking water tap connections.
The report refers to the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide piped drinking water connections to all rural households by 2024. The scheme has since been extended up to 2028.
As of 2023–24, Tamil Nadu has provided piped water connections to 81.87% of rural households, according to the audit findings.
Beneficiaries told auditors that the expanded access has reduced women’s workload. They also reported a decline in water-borne illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhoea, jaundice and cholera due to safer drinking water.
The audit noted that the shortfall in institutional coverage was communicated by the project director in October 2024, highlighting the need to extend tap connections to the remaining schools and anganwadis.
