India
More than 90 villages in Punjab, MP, UP and Bihar achieved ODF Plus status: Center | India News – Times of India
While ODF status is achieved when a community eliminates open defecation practices, ODF Plus goes a step further by focusing on the sustainability of this status and broader integration of sanitation and waste management objectives.
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have reported 98 percent ODF Plus statuswhile Madhya Pradesh leads the way with 99 percent of villages meeting ODF Plus criteria, including 95 percent achieving advanced ODF Plus Model status. Bihar, though slightly behind, has achieved 92 percent ODF Plus coverage.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil lauded these achievements at a high-level review meeting with state officials and mission directors, an official statement said.
He emphasized that sanitation is more than just an infrastructure goal, describing it as “a behavioral mission that shapes the health and dignity of rural communities.”
The meeting, held to review progress and address challenges, emphasized on innovative approaches and state-specific strategies to promote rural sanitation.
Punjab has integrated greywater management in 87 percent of its ODF Plus villages and is now focusing on strengthening its solid waste management systems.
Madhya Pradesh performed exceptionally well, not only achieving near-universal ODF Plus status but also introducing innovative plastic waste management initiatives through partnerships with recyclers.
Uttar Pradesh showcased its extensive workforce of over 1 lakh personnel trained to implement SBM-G targets and highlighted its waste-to-energy initiatives and kabadiwala linkages.
While Bihar is making steady progress, it is concentrating on underperforming districts and achieving 91 percent coverage in graywater management and 80 percent in solid waste management.
Patil emphasized the importance of bridging gaps in waste management and verifying ODF Plus model villages through robust monitoring systems.
He also called for a community-led approach, encouraging active participation of women’s self-help groups, local leaders and private enterprises.
“Sanitation is a movement of the people, by the people and for the people,” he said, underscoring the need for collective ownership to support the progress of the mission.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Sampoorna Swachhata (comprehensive cleanliness), which goes beyond sanitation and includes water conservation, waste management and community welfare.
Aligning the mission with global goals such as SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 3 (good health and well-being), the Swachh Bharat Mission aims to transform rural India into a model of resilience and sustainable development.
“This is not just about achieving objectives. It is about creating ecosystems of health, dignity and self-reliance, and ensuring that every village becomes a beacon of cleanliness and sustainable development,” he said.
