Amma drinking water scheme remains stalled in Chennai
Residents are purchasing private water cans as automated dispensing units function at only a few locations across the city.
The Amma drinking water purification scheme in Chennai remains inactive, leaving many residents to rely on private 20-litre water cans, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. While the city has introduced automated dispensing units as a replacement, these are currently only working at a limited number of sites.
The original initiative was launched in 2016 by former chief minister Jayalalithaa to provide free purified water. The Chennai Corporation set up 50 centres at a total cost of ₹1.50 crore, with each centre costing ₹3 lakh. The programme served approximately 20,000 families, with each centre supporting about 400 beneficiaries.
The plants were abandoned following the Covid-19 pandemic and a change in government. Although a resolution was passed to transfer management from the Chennai Corporation to the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) following complaints of commercial water diversion, the formal handover was not completed.
A CMWSSB official stated that the existing three-year contract has not been cancelled and the board has requested the necessary files to process the formal handover. The official noted that the government must decide on changing the current arrangement before the original centres can be reopened.
In June 2025, then chief minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated 50 automated dispensing units at locations such as hospitals, parks, and Marina Beach at a cost of ₹6.04 crore. However, these units are not operating effectively even at the few locations where they are active.
One Chennai resident said families pay between ₹30 and ₹40 for each 20-litre can from private suppliers. The resident added that they use canned water for drinking due to concerns regarding the contamination of water supplied by the board.