The Government will start intensive cleanliness drive in 11 thematic areas, Minister of Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu said, describing the Swachh Bharat Mission as the mother of all new Missions launched by the Central Government given its unique nature.
Thematic areas to be covered include : Agricultural and grain markets, Religious and tourism places, Educational institutions, Resident Welfare Associations, Under passes and fly overs, Cantonment Boards, Water bodies and recreation places, Hospitals, Old cities and Government offices.
On completion of one year since the launch of the Mission, Naidu said, “Swachh Bharat initiative is different from others. While other initiatives are largely demand-driven, Swachh Bharat Mission aims at creating demand for sanitary services and infrastructure. A Clean India is the most profound statement that the county can make to the world which is keenly watching us in the context of various initiatives launched during the last over one year. “
The Minister said that since the launch of the Mission in October last year by the Prime Minister, people across the country and age groups have been inspired by the philosophy and objectives of the Mission and this is the major achievement of the last one year.
As against the target of construction of 25 lakh household toilets in urban areas till March, 2016, construction of 16.45 lakh toilets has been taken up and 4.65 lakh toilets have already been built. “Based on reports received till August this year, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana have performed well in respect of construction of individual household toilets,” Naidu said.
Stating that Solid Waste Management is the largest component of the Mission in urban areas, Shri Naidu said that till August this year, 100% door to door collection of municipal solid waste has been reported in 31,593 of the total 78,003 wards in urban areas of the country and the mission is on course to achieve the target of door to door collection of 50% of solid waste by March, 2016. Regarding processing of solid waste, as against the target of processing of 35% of 1,42,580 tonnes of solid waste being generated every day in urban areas, 17.34% is being processed at the moment.
