November 21, 2023: Housing minister Hardeep Singh Puri on November 20 said that the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban has dramatically increased the processing of waste in urban areas, with more than 76% of the total waste now being processed, a significant leap from just 17% in 2014. The minister made the remark while addressing the 7th ISC-FICCI Sanitation Awards Ceremony and India Sanitation Conclave through a video address.
Puri attributed this substantial progress to the transformative initiatives driven by prime minister Narendra Modi, which have catalysed a behavioural shift towards cleanliness in the country. The Swachh Bharat Mission, alongside the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), has played a crucial role in enhancing the state of sanitation across India. Notably, the Swachh Bharat mission has been instrumental in addressing the challenge of open defecation in urban areas through the construction of 63 lakh individual toilets and 6.3 lakh public toilets. Furthermore, the AMRUT has been pivotal in tackling the shortage of basic sanitation infrastructure, adding 172 lakh water tap connections and 135 lakh sewer connections in cities, the minister highlighted.
In a video address at the conclave, Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said India was on track to fully achieve the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) phase-two goals by 2025. Shekhawat highlighted the remarkable progress in rural sanitation, noting that nearly 80% of villages have already declared themselves Open-Defecation Free (ODF) Plus under the SBM-Grameen initiative. He emphasised the crucial role of public-private partnerships in this success, drawing attention to successful collaborations in other sectors, such as highways and airport construction, and advocating for similar partnerships in water and sanitation.
The minister also spotlighted the India Sanitation Coalition at FICCI’s pivotal role in these partnerships, particularly through the innovative Lighthouse Initiative (LHI). LHI, he noted, has been a game-changer, with corporate houses adopting entire gram panchayats for Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) interventions. This initiative that currently covers 75 gram panchayats across 15 states, is poised for further expansion in its second phase, with nearly 40 major corporate houses set to cover much larger geographies.
Naina Lal Kidwai, chair, India Sanitation Coalition, in her keynote address, emphasised the essential role of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in India’s progress. Highlighting the significant achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Kidwai noted that India is on the brink of a major sanitation revolution, with nearly universal access to toilets and significant strides towards becoming open defecation-free aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 6.2.
Kidwai also highlighted the emerging focus on plastic waste management, with more than 2,500 Plastic Waste Management Units now established. Additionally, she underlined the operational status of nearly 3000 faecal sludge management plants, illustrating the country’s commitment to comprehensive sanitation solutions. With the construction of 11.3 crore individual household latrines and over two lakh community toilets under the SBM rural initiative.
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An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
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