Odisha leads in building community toilets

New Delhi: Odisha is the leader in construction of community toilets while Gujarat is ahead of other states in building of household toilets, according to the Urban Development Ministry data.

As per the data, 2,70,069 household toilets were constructed across the country during the last financial year, out of which Gujarat accounted for 60 per cent with 1,65,376 toilets.

Madhya Pradesh constructed 99,151 household toilets followed by Karnataka with 4,697, the data says.

In the segment of community toilets, a total of 1,222 seats were built during 2014-15.

Odisha was ahead of others, having constructed 740 seats.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands reported construction of 200 and Karnataka has built 100 community toilet seats.

In promoting solid waste management, Gujarat led others having reported 100 per cent collection and transportation of municipal solid waste in 120 of the 195 towns in the state.

Odisha has done so in respect of 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 Central government had launched 'Swachh Bharat Mission' on October 2, 2014 with the objective of ensuring cleanliness in all the 4,041 statutory cities and towns of the country by October 2, 2019 which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The five-year Swachh Bharat Mission is to be implemented at a total cost of Rs 62,009 cr with a targeted construction of 1.04 cr household toilets, 2.51 lakh community toilet seats and 2.55 lakh public toilet seats besides assisting 37 cr urban people in solid waste management.

Construction of toilets is accorded priority under the Mission to enable "open defecation free" urban areas.

During 2014-15, a total of about Rs 900 cr has been sanctioned by the ministry and an amount of about Rs 700 cr has been released to States/UTs based on proposals received under Swachh Bharat Mission.