🚽 Introduction & Need
India has long grappled with significant sanitation challenges, particularly in rural areas where open defecation was prevalent. This practice not only posed health risks but also impacted the dignity and safety of individuals, especially women. Recognizing the urgency, the Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) in 2014, aiming to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management across the country.
🏗️ Background
The Swachh Bharat Mission was initiated on October 2, 2014, with two primary components:
- SBM (Gramin): Focused on rural areas, implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- SBM (Urban): Targeted urban regions, overseen by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The mission aimed to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by October 2, 2019, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
📈 Achievements
- Toilet Construction: Between 2014 and 2019, approximately 90 million toilets were constructed across India, significantly increasing sanitation coverage.
- ODF Status: By 2019, all states and Union Territories had declared themselves ODF, marking a substantial reduction in open defecation practices.
- Behavioral Change: The mission emphasized Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities to instill behavioral changes, leading to increased toilet usage and hygiene awareness.
🔄 Current Status: SBM 2.0
Launched in 2021, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 aims to sustain the gains of the initial phase and address emerging challenges:
- Waste Processing Plants: Efforts are underway to establish waste-to-energy plants, such as the planned biogas facility in Manesar, Haryana, which will process organic waste into energy and compost.
- Urban-Rural Disparities: Despite progress, disparities persist. For instance, in Mumbai's slums, residents face water scarcity and inadequate sanitation facilities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
- Infrastructure Utilization: In some regions, constructed facilities remain underutilized or non-functional. In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, officials have been directed to operationalize idle biogas plants and complete pending toilet constructions to ensure the infrastructure serves its intended purpose.
🧭 Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Mission has been a transformative initiative, significantly improving sanitation infrastructure and promoting hygiene practices across India. However, sustaining these achievements requires continuous efforts, including operationalizing infrastructure, addressing regional disparities, and fostering behavioral changes. With the ongoing implementation of SBM 2.0, India moves closer to its goal of comprehensive sanitation coverage and a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
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