Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation regains ODF tag

Swachh Survekshan 2018Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has regained the Open Defecation Free (ODF) tag this year, which is likely to help the civic body to get a good ranking in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan 2018. The validation has come just before the expiry of NMMC’s existing certificate.

“We made it happen this time. Last time, too, we almost passed the test when some anti-social elements sabotaged our effort by prompting the observer, who was re-evaluating our ODF status, to inspect a small piece of barricaded private land in Indira Nagar area of Turbhe. There the team came across open defecation. This time, it was a smooth sailing and we have regained the ODF tag,” said N Ramaswami, Municipal Commissioner, NMMC.

An independent revalidation team of four observers from Delhi, appointed by the central government, had visited the city recently as part the nation-wide survey. The civic body has installed individual, public and community toilets, procured mobile toilets and tried to create awareness about the ill-effects of open defecation.

The open-defecation free certification team covered almost all areas prone to open defecation and found everything in order.

“For over a month now, we have taken additional measures to ensure the city is free of open defecation. It’s the team work of NMMC officials and citizens. We are now looking forward to perform better in the Swachh Survekshan,” said Amrish Patnigere, Deputy Commissioner, NMMC