The Swachh Bharat Mission has completed 10 years of implementation.
Introduction
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched on October 2, 2014, to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a clean India, has completed 10 years of implementation in 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,’ highlights the interplay of individual responsibility and societal values in cleanliness. With an aim to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF), the mission’s comprehensive approach has transformed sanitation and hygiene practices across the country.
Swachh Bharat Mission: Key Features
Universal Sanitation Coverage
Objective: To eliminate open defecation and ensure universal toilet access by 2019.
Focus: Financial incentives for household and community toilets, particularly in rural and slum areas.
Two Sub-Missions
SBM-Gramin (Rural): Emphasis on ODF status and waste management in Gram Panchayats.
SBM-Urban: Targeting waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable urban cleanliness.
Behavioural Change
Collaboration with NGOs and private players to address cultural resistance toward home toilets.
Awareness campaigns like ‘Darwaza Band’ to promote toilet use.
Phase-Wise Implementation
Phase 1 (2014-2019): Achieving ODF status and basic sanitation.
Phase 2 (2020-2026): Sustaining ODF status with a focus on solid and liquid waste management.
SBM Urban 2.0
Launched in 2021, aiming for 100% solid and liquid waste management by 2026.
Achievements of Swachh Bharat Mission
Health Improvements
WHO reported a 300,000 reduction in diarrhoea-related deaths (2014-2019).
Lower incidences of malaria and better maternal and child health indicators.
Increased Toilet Access
Over 10 million rural households benefited, impacting approximately 50 million people.
ODF status achieved in 630,000 villages.
Enhanced Women’s Safety and Dignity
93% of women in rural areas reported feeling safer after toilet installations (UNICEF report).
Economic Benefits
Households in ODF villages saved an average of ₹50,000 annually on health-related expenses.
Environmental Gains
Reduced groundwater contamination: ODF villages had 12.7 times lower contamination risks.
Public Recognition and Participation
Initiatives like Swachh Iconic Places to maintain cleanliness at cultural and historical sites.
Awards for ‘Swachh Cities’ incentivizing urban cleanliness.
Challenges in Implementation
Behavioural Resistance
Cultural and traditional practices deter immediate acceptance of home toilets.
Infrastructure Gaps
Inadequate waste management systems in both urban and rural areas.
Poor maintenance of constructed toilets.
Regional Disparities
Solutions lack local customization, given India’s diverse geography.
Awareness and Monitoring
Persistent gaps in public awareness about hygiene.
Inconsistent monitoring of progress and impact.
Funding Constraints
Limited financial resources hinder sustained operations, especially for waste management systems.
Way Forward
Sustainability Measures
Regular maintenance of sanitation infrastructure and adoption of technological solutions.
Community Participation
Enhanced role of local governance in planning and execution.
Involvement of women and youth as champions of cleanliness.
Focus on Waste Management
Strengthening solid and liquid waste management with scalable models.
Encouraging private sector investment in recycling technologies.
Behavioural Change Campaigns
Continued education and media campaigns to build a culture of cleanliness.
Policy and Funding Support
Dedicated financial allocations and targeted interventions for lagging regions.
Stronger monitoring frameworks with real-time tracking of ODF status and waste metrics.
Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Mission stands as a testament to the transformative power of collective effort in shaping a cleaner and healthier India. Its focus on sanitation and waste management has not only improved health outcomes but also fostered economic growth and societal well-being. Sustained commitment to behavioural change, infrastructure, and innovative practices will ensure the gains of SBM are preserved for generations, making cleanliness a way of life in India.
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