Andhra Pradesh to become first `Open Defecation Free` state

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is set to become the first state in the country to make all of its urban areas 'Open Defecation Free' by October 2 this year, marking the two years of the launch of 'Swachh Bharat' mission by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The state officials gave this assurance during a review of progress of Swachh Bharat Mission in all the 110 municipalities of Andhra Pradesh by Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) at Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Gauba went to the port city for review of progress of urban missions like smart city Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and 'Swachh Bharat' mission.

He held extensive discussions with the collectors of all the 13 districts and Municipal Commissioners of all the 110 urban local bodies in Andhra Pradesh on their action plans for ensuring sanitation.

During the review, it emerged that Andhra Pradesh which has been in the forefront of construction of toilets in urban areas can make all 100 municipalities Open Defecation Free by October 2 this year as per the action plans in progress.

As against the mission target of construction of 1,94,336 individual household toilets in urban areas of Andhra Pradesh, work has started in respect of 1,53,779 and construction of 1,04,732 toilets has already been completed.

In addition to the central assistance of Rs.4,000 per toilet, the Andhra Pradesh Government is extending assistance of an additional Rs.11,000 per toilet giving a big boost for the programme.

Regarding Community and Public Toilet seats, as against the mission target of 4,614 seats, work has started on 3,887 seats and 1,952 seats have already been constructed.

In respect of Solid Waste Management, out of the total wards of 3,458 in 110 municipalities, 100 percent door-to-door collection and transportation of such waste is being done in 3,072 wards i.e 89 percent of total urban wards in the state.

The state government has also awarded works for construction of 10 Waste to Energy Plants for generating 63 MW of power from the 6,440 tonnes of municipal waste being generated per day in the state. Gauba was informed that these plants would be commissioned during 2017-18.

Gauba complimented the state government and all concerned officials for good progress under ' Swachh Bharat' mission in urban areas and for becoming the first state to make all urban areas open defecation free much ahead of the target this year.