India has achieved unprecedented progress in providing drinking water to communities under the national Rural Drinking Water programme (NRDWP) of the Ministry of Drinking Water and sanitation (MDWS). As of 2016, approximately 78 percent of habitations have been fully covered by adequate and potable drinking water; 19 percent remains partially covered; and 4 percent are quality-affected. There continues to be a high dependence on hand pumps, bore wells and other similar water sources, with nearly 58 percent of habitations dependent on non-piped-water-supply systems in the fully covered region affecting 45 percent rural population, i.e., about 42 crores. To meet the Goverment of India's 2030 vision for affordable, equitable, efficient and sustainable piped water supply for all, "Har Ghar Jal" (tap water in every home), an additional investment for nearly INR 5,00,000 crores would be required, as would creating a reduction in slippages, improvement of water quality, an alternative to dependency on groundwater, and convergence among various departments of the ministries. Over the past 20 years, various Small Water Enterprises (SWEs) have been meeting the need for safe drinking water among rural communities in India. Currently there are an estimated 12,000-16,000 SWEs across India. SWE's hold promise in addressing gaps in coverage in context where large infrastructure is not appropriate or where water quality and slippage are an issue. Guided by the government's policies Safe Water Network India provides a safe and affordable drinking water solution through its SWEs called iJal stations primarily in Telangana providing safe water access to about 6,80,000 people. In this paper, we discuss the status of rural drinking water supply as per India's NRDWP with a focus on rural water supply in Telangana and indentify how SWEs can play an important role in providing decentralised, affordable safe water to communities complementary to piped water supply as the Government rolls out its prgramme for Har Ghar Jal.