Driving Sanitation in Challenging Terrains: India's Push for ODF-Plus

The Centre announced its cooperative efforts with state governments to secure Open Defecation Free-Plus (ODF-Plus) statuses, focusing on challenging regions such as Uttarakhand. These efforts are part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II initiative.

In a strategy to enhance waste management and ensure sanitation sustainability, the government has intensified its push to transition all villages from simple ODF status to ODF-Plus. Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, detailed these plans in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing coordination with Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments.

Local panchayats are integral to these efforts, playing a role in the operation and maintenance of rural sanitation structures. Community participation is encouraged to propel these initiatives forward, with significant progress noted as 4,72,480 villages have achieved ODF Model Village status as of July.

(With inputs from agencies.)