The Swachchh Bharat campaign is nowhere near completion in the district of Haridwar. Though 14 gram panchayats located on the banks of Ganga have completed the target of constructing 5,910 toilets in two years nearly 60,000 families are still indulging in open defecation in the villages. Out of 308 gram panchayats, 277 gram panchayats are yet to come under the ODF category as per a survey conducted by Government, something that tells the story of the sluggish pace of things.
Over 5,000 toilets were constructed in Bahadrabad, laksar and Khanpur blocks in two years while 48,516 private toilets were constructed through Swajal Yojna in the current financial year in the villages. In the initial five months, the speed of work was quite satisfactory. Over 52% toilets being constructed in five months, the rest would be completed in the remaining months, assured the officials. However, given the snail’s pace with which works are now going on, it is most unlikely that the work would be completed by the end of the year.
A total of 25,961 toilets were made in the last financial year , but the harsh reality is that clean toilets are eluding over 60,000 people.
Notably, Rs 12000 is given to the beneficiary in his account from Swajal department under Namami Gange scheme on the completion of toilet construction work and if he does not avail this the gram pradhan is entitled to get the toilet made from gram panchayat funds with the Swajal department crediting it in the account of gram panchayat.
Speaking to The Pioneer, programme coordinator Bharat Swachta Abhiyan and Swajal Pariyojna Somnath Saini said, “We are constructing the toilets in the district as per the deadline. The awareness is also being created. It is hoped that the district would soon be open defecation free. Fourteen gram panchayats have already become ODF.”