GANGTOK,: Hundred per cent of villages in Sikkim have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Model status under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G). This was revealed during the review meeting of Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) in the North-Eastern region held in Guwahati today.
According to the report provided in the meeting, 51% of villages in the North East have achieved ODF Plus Model status with Sikkim emerged as a trailblazer with 100% coverage, followed by Mizoram (86%), Tripura (80%) and Assam (74%).
The meeting was chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister C.R. Patil who lauded these achievements, stating, “The North-East, despite its unique challenges, exemplifies resilience and innovation in sanitation. With collective efforts, we can achieve Sampoorna Swachhata by March 2025.”
The meeting was attended by concerned ministers from all the NE States. Ashok Meena, secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, along with JS&MD SBM-G, secretaries and mission directors from the State participated in the high-level review of SBM-G held specifically for the NE State in Guwahati. The event highlighted the region's commendable progress while addressing challenges to sustain the sanitation outcomes achieved under SBM-G Phase II, informs a PIB release.
The meeting identified areas requiring immediate attention like Sustainable solid and liquid waste management (SLWM), functionality of WASH assets like community sanitary complexes and plastic waste management units, fund utilization and submission of pending utilization certificates to unlock tied grants, effective faecal sludge management (FSM) policies aligned with urban sanitation strategies.
The DDWS secretary said, “The convergence of resources and collaboration among States and local bodies is key to sustaining SBM-G’s impact. The North-Eastern States are setting an example for the rest of the country in community-driven sanitation models.”
Participants were encouraged to adopt innovative waste management practices while integrating traditional approaches. States were also urged to strengthen training for retrofitting and sustainable asset management, ensuring that all created assets are fully functional and impactful.
With the target of achieving ODF Plus Model status for all NE villages by March 2025, the review reiterated the importance of timely action and focused strategies. The Union minister concluded, “Let us ensure the progress achieved over the past decade is not only sustained but elevated, making the North-East a shining example of rural sanitation for the nation.”