Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) organised an event Monday here to declare the city open defecation free (ODF).
The event, held as part of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission,’ was held at the Unit VIII Community Centre.
The BMC has taken many steps to provide clean toilets to the public under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban to make all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) 100 per cent Open Defecation Free.
The BMC constructed many toilets (approximately 1,600 plus toilet seats) in different categories and they are functional across the city.
Ward Sanitation Committees have been engaged to effectively maintain community toilets. Sulabh International has been given the responsibility to maintain public and hybrid toilets.
The BMC has also constructed a large number of IHHL (Individual House Hold Toilets). Approximately 5,000 toilets have been constructed or are under construction in BMC’s housing projects.
The corporation has passed a resolution imposing a fine of Rs 50 on anyone found defecating in the open.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Mayor Ananata Narayan Jena, MLA (Bhubaneswar North) Priyadarsi Mishra and Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA Bijaya Kumar Mohanty, Deputy Mayor K. Shanti and Additional Commissioner Subham Saxena attended the function.
BMC Standing Committee on Public Health and Environment Chairman Biranchi Narayan Mahasupakar, BMC Councillors, senior officials and community members also attended the function.
As per the ODF protocol Self declaration documents has been collected such as: Self declarations from Concerned ward Corporators. Self declaration from schools in the ward (Principal/Head of Institution, Teacher/Staff, Students). Self declaration from active self-help groups (SHG) of the ward etc. After this ODF function/celebration a preliminary resolution declaring the City as ODF will be passed in the Corporation. A suitable public announcement shall be made for the same as well. This process needs to be re-certified at every six months.
Community Toilets
The BMC has constructed Community Toilets with 164 seats under Project Samman. It has repaired 676 community toilets and now they are functional.
Public Toilets
The BMC has constructed 154 public toilets seats under Project Samman. The BMC has repaired 364 public toilets and they are functional now.
Hybrid Toilets
The civic body has constructed 320 hybrid toilets and they are all functional now.
Individual Housing Latrines
The BMC issued work orders to 20,218 beneficiaries to construct Individual Housing Latrines and of these 12,435 people have constructed toilets.
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