The Odisha Government needs to construct as many as 21.70 lakh toilets per year across the State to meet the deadline set by the Centre under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). According to the SBM directive, the Centre would stop funding the project in case toilet construction is not completed by 2019.
As per the baseline survey conducted by the State Water and Sanitation Mission, there are 90,20,107 families residing in rural areas of the State. Toilet facility has been made available only to 25 lakh families by the end of March this year.
The beneficiaries are entitled to Rs12,000 each for construction of toilets out of which the Centre’s share is Rs7,200 and the rest is borne by the State.
While the delay has been reported in construction of toilets in the past five years in the State, the project registered significant success in 2015-16. As per official data, as many as 8,53,303 toilets were constructed in 2010-11.
The number was reduced to 3,59,171 in 2011-12, 1,18,318 in 2012-13, 33,759 in 2013-14 and 1,30,925 in 2014-15. However, the highest number of toilets — 13,29,832 — was constructed in 2015-16.
While over 65 lakh toilets are yet to be constructed in the State, doubts have been raised about achieving the target in the next three years. Voluntary organisations, which are constructing toilets in villages on behalf of the Government, have alleged not receiving payments on time.
Notably, the GAIl India, which was assigned the task of constructing toilets in Khordha district, was forced to withdraw from the project after facing problems by sarpanches.
Similar allegations have also been levelled by other private firms, which are engaged in the project in other districts.