Post News Network
New Delhi, April 3: Orissa is leading other states in the construction of community toilets seats, according to data released by the Union ministry of urban development Friday. The state has constructed 740 seats under the Swachh Bharat Mission during 2014-15, the report said.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Karnataka have reported the construction of 200 and 100 community toilet seats, respectively, during this period.
Gujarat has led others in the construction of household toilets having built 1,65,367 household toilets, which accounts for about 60 per cent of the total number in the country. Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have followed with the construction of 99,151 and 4,697 household toilets respectively.
Construction of toilets is accorded priority under the Swachh Bharat Mission to help establish “open defecation free” urban areas.
Gujarat has also fared well in solid waste management, reporting 100 per cent collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in 120 of the 195 towns in the state. Orissa has reported 100 per cent collection and transportation in 107 towns and Karnataka in 40 towns.
In all, 329 of the 4,041 statutory towns have reported 100 per cent collection and transportation of municipal solid waste.
The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched October 2, 2014, with the objective of ensuring cleanliness in all 4,041 statutory cities and towns in the country by October 2, 2019, which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The five-year mission is to be implemented at a total cost of Rs 62,009 crore with a targeted construction of 1.04 crore household toilets, 2.51 lakh community toilet seats and 2.55 lakh public toilet seats, besides assisting 37 crore urban people in solid waste management.
During 2014-15, a total of about Rs 900 crore has been sanctioned by the central government and about Rs700 crore has been released to states and Union Territories based on the proposals received under this plan.