For the construction of toilets and their use, a public awareness programme was organised under the joint auspices of voluntary organisation Arambh and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Health officer of BMC Rakesh Sharma, at the awareness programme held at 100 quarters slum in ward 63, said that open defecating not only pollutes the environment, but it is also harmful for the human health.
In the programme Arambh organisation’s urban sanitation specialist Jitendra Parmar said that the Indian government has planned for a clean India by 2019 and conceptualized it as Swatch Bharat Abhyan 2019. Under the mission, open defecation free India also plays a big role and Bhopal must also take part in this mission and free it from open defecation, he added.
Parmar further said that under the mission construction of household toilets has started and if any family does not have a household toilet can apply at the BMC ward or zone office and get it constructed through BMC.
The programme commenced at 6 am when slum dwellers go for defecation in the open. At that time the Arambh team distributed pamphlets and spread awareness on the harmful effects of open defecating as the feces lying in the open can spread diseases. They also suggested them to get lavatories constructed at home.
In the Arambh team Rajni Rajguru, Hema Mishra, Pushendra Rahi, Salma Shekh and BMC and Mohalla committee’s members were present.
The BMC and Arambh team also distributed requisition forms for the construction of household toilets.