In a remarkable feat of cleanliness and sanitation, Tripura has emerged as a frontrunner, alongside other states and Union Territories, in achieving 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages. The milestone was announced by the Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who disclosed that approximately 4.4 lakh villages across India, constituting 75% of the nation’s villages, have attained the coveted ODF Plus status.
An ODF Plus village is one that has not only maintained its ODF status but has also implemented either solid or liquid waste management systems. This achievement marks a significant step towards realizing the goals set for the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, scheduled to be achieved by 2024-25.
Apart from Tripura, the following states and Union Territories have also joined the league of top performers, each boasting 100% ODF Plus villages:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Dadra Nagar Haveli
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Ladakh
- Puducherry
- Sikkim
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
Moreover, Minister Shekhawat revealed that more than 4.43 lakh villages across the country have declared themselves ODF Plus. This remarkable feat includes four villages that have been declared ‘ODF Plus Model.’ These Model villages serve as exemplary cases for the rest of the nation, showcasing effective sanitation and waste management practices. The ‘ODF Plus Model’ villages include Andaman and Nicobar, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim.
Of the 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages, 2,92,497 are classified as ‘ODF Plus Aspiring,’ featuring arrangements for either solid waste or liquid waste management systems. Meanwhile, 55,549 villages fall under the ‘ODF Plus Rising’ category, with provisions for both solid and liquid waste management. Additionally, 96,018 villages have achieved the highest recognition as ‘ODF Plus Model.’
Overall, 2,31,080 villages now have well-established solid waste management systems, while 3,76,353 have adopted efficient methods for handling liquid waste.
Minister Shekhawat emphasized that reaching the milestone of 75% ODF Plus villages is a significant achievement for India, representing a transition from ODF to ODF Plus under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Phase II.
The second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin focuses on sustaining the ODF status and implementing effective waste management systems, encompassing solid waste, biodegradable waste, plastic waste, liquid waste, and faecal sludge. The nation’s progress in this direction signifies a cleaner and healthier future for all its citizens.
