Swachh Bharat Mission
India is celebrating a significant milestone in its ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II, with 75% of its villages achieving ODF Plus status. This remarkable achievement reflects the nation’s commitment to cleanliness and sustainability. ODF Plus status signifies that these villages have sustained their Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and successfully implemented solid or liquid waste management systems. Over 4.43 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, marking substantial progress towards the SBM-G Phase II goals set for 2024-25.
Leading the Charge: States and Union Territories
Several States and Union Territories have emerged as leaders in the ODF Plus movement, with 100% of their villages achieving this status. The top-performing regions include Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura. Notably, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu, Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim have also achieved 100% ODF Plus Model villages, demonstrating their exceptional dedication to the cause.
A Vision for a Cleaner India
The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighted the significance of this achievement during a press conference in New Delhi. He emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritized the Swachh Bharat Mission since 2014, transforming it into a nationwide movement. The mission’s initial goal of achieving Open Defecation in India by 2019 was realized well ahead of schedule. Prime Minister Modi, considering this achievement a stepping stone, envisioned moving towards ‘Sampoorna Swachhata,’ which encompasses visible cleanliness and effective waste management, ultimately converting waste into wealth.
Shri Shekhawat elaborated on this vision, explaining that SBM-G Phase-II aims to make all villages ODF Plus by 2025. Of the 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages, 2,92,497 are ODF Plus Aspiring villages with solid or liquid waste management arrangements, 55,549 are ODF Plus Rising villages with both solid and liquid waste management, and 96,018 are ODF Plus Model villages. Currently, 2,31,080 villages have stable waste management arrangements, and 3,76,353 villages have liquid waste management systems.
Celebrating 9 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission
This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Achieving 75% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone, signifying India’s transition from ODF to ODF Plus in Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II. This phase encompasses various components, including Sustaining Open Defecation Free Status (ODF-S), Solid Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), GOBARdhan, Information Education and Communication/Behavior Change Communication (IEC/BCC), and Capacity Building.
SBM-G has played a pivotal role in improving the health and well-being of millions of people across the country. An ODF Plus Model village sustains its ODF status and efficiently manages solid and liquid waste while maintaining visual cleanliness, thereby minimizing litter and wastewater stagnation. Currently, 96,192 villages hold the ODF Plus Model status.
Funding for a Cleaner India
The budget for SBM Phase II stands at 1.43 lakh crores, with 52,497 crores allocated from SBM-G and the remaining funds from the 15th Finance Commission (51,057 crores) and MGNREGA (24,823 crores). In the fiscal year 2023-24, the central share allocation from SBM-G is Rs. 7,192 Crore, with states planning an expenditure of 22,264 Crores from all sources. Four thousand six hundred ninety crores have been expended from SBM-G funds, totaling 18,686 crores, including FFC and MGNREGA. States with high SBM-G fund expenditure this year include Uttar Pradesh (1214 crores), Bihar (752 crores), and West Bengal (367 crores). These funds have been instrumental in building sanitation infrastructure, promoting behavior change, and implementing solid and liquid waste management systems.
Swachh Bharat Mission Seva 2023 Campaign
Notably, this achievement of 75% ODF Plus Villages was realized during the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2023 campaign. This annual campaign, celebrated from September 15th to October 2nd under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), is focused on increasing ODF Plus momentum through Shramdaan activities with the theme of ‘Garbage Free India.’ It aims to reinvigorate community participation, turning it into a ‘Jan Andolan’ to achieve the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Achievements of Swachh Bharat Mission
The SHS-2023 campaign has seen active participation, with five crore people joining and over 2.05 crore individuals contributing through Shramdaan. These activities include cleaning beaches, river sides, waterfronts, legacy waste sites, tourist spots, public places, water bodies, institutional buildings, and garbage-vulnerable sites. Additionally, 34 States/UTs in SBM-G and approximately 42 Partner Ministries/Departments have actively participated in SHS-2023, making it a collaborative and impactful initiative.
Swachh Bharat Mission – Moving Towards a Cleaner and Sustainable India
India’s achievements in the Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II demonstrate the nation’s unwavering commitment to cleanliness and sustainability. With 75% of villages achieving ODF Plus status, the mission has improved sanitation and focused on efficient waste management and water conservation. These efforts align with India’s vision of a ‘Garbage Free India’ and ‘Sampoorna Swachhata,’ where waste is transformed into wealth, contributing to a cleaner and more prosperous future.
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