Over 2.96 Lakh Villages Declare ODF Plus Status, Paving the Way for a Cleaner India by 2024-25

New Delhi, 10th May 2023: The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) has reached a major milestone as approximately 50% of villages in the country have declared themselves ODF Plus under phase II of the mission. ODF Plus villages have not only sustained their Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but have also implemented effective solid or liquid waste management systems. This achievement is a significant step towards fulfilling the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25.

Leading the way in terms of ODF Plus villages are Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh among the large states, with 100%, 99.5%, 97.8%, and 95.2% ODF Plus villages, respectively. In the category of small states, Goa and Sikkim have excelled with 95.3% and 69.2% ODF Plus villages, respectively. Notably, the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Havelli & Daman Diu, and Lakshadweep have achieved 100% ODF Plus Model villages. The remarkable progress made by these states and UTs has played a vital role in reaching this significant milestone.

Among the 2,96,928 ODF Plus villages, there are 2,08,613 ODF Plus Aspiring villages that have arrangements for either solid waste management or liquid waste management. Additionally, there are 32,030 ODF Plus Rising villages with arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management, while 56,285 villages are classified as ODF Plus Model villages. An ODF Plus Model village has successfully sustained its ODF status and demonstrates visual cleanliness with minimal litter and stagnant wastewater. Furthermore, these model villages display ODF Plus Information, Education & Communication (IEC) messages. The progress made so far includes 1,65,048 villages with solid waste management arrangements, 2,39,063 villages with liquid waste management arrangements, 4,57,060 villages with minimal stagnant water, and 4,67,384 villages with minimal litter.

The Central Government has allocated a total of INR 83,938 crore to the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin between 2014-15 and 2021-22, with an allocation of Rs. 52,137 Crore for the year 2023-24. In addition to the SBM(G) funds, specific funds from the 15th Finance Commission have been allocated for sanitation purposes. These funds have been instrumental in constructing sanitation assets, promoting behavior change, and implementing solid and liquid waste management systems.

As the Swachh Bharat Mission marks its ninth year, the achievement of 50% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone for India, indicating progress beyond the construction and use of toilets, focusing on complete and absolute cleanliness from ODF to ODF Plus. The Phase-II of SBM(G) encompasses various crucial components such as Sustaining Open Defecation Free Status (ODF-S), Solid Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), GOBARdhan, Information Education and Communication/Behavior Change Communication (IEC/BCC), and Capacity Building. This program has played a pivotal role in improving the health and well-being of millions of people across the country, as affirmed by numerous reports highlighting the ground impact of the SBM-G program