The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Monday announced that all the wards under its jurisdiction have become Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Following the protocol and norms of construction of toilets under 'Swatchh Bharat Mission', the civic body has provided one toilet within the distance of 500 meters.
SDMC Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, “We have also made available 1,099 toilets, including 250 mobile toilets seats with total combined toilet seats of 14,475. She instructed the concerned officers to ensure the functionality and upkeep of the toilets and exhorted the users to make a habit to properly use toilets.
Sehrawat also administered a pledge to all the present councillor's officers, teachers and others to render their constructive contribution in making Swachhata initiatives successful.
A film on the achievement of SDMC was also screened apart from the staging of two street plays.
The two Mascots of Swachhata Abhiyan of SDMC, Roko and Toko, attracted all present and also conveyed the relevance of ODF.
Gautam Gambhir, a well-known cricket player who was also present on the occasion, wished that entire Delhi must become ODF. He also stressed upon bringing behavioural changes among the masses apart from constructing toilets. Gambhir further advocated for separate toilets be provided to the girls keeping in view of the empowerment of girls.
The famous para-athlete Deepa Malik expressed hope that a major change is bound to take place as SDMC has not only burnt midnight oil but has taken pains to disseminate the message.
The SDMC Commissioner Dr Puneet Kumar Goel stated that the number of 60 crore persons involved in open defecation at the national level has come down to 30 crores in the last three years, hence, we must take a clue from it to make sure the figure reaches zero in SDMC. He further stated that we have not only constructed new toilets but has also stopped open defecation by beautifying filthy places underneath the flyovers.
A senior SDMC official said that those who do not have individual household toilets will have access to community toilets within 500 meters and one toilet each in the commercial area within a distance of one km.
Meanwhile, East Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Neema Bhagat on Monday has also declared its area as “Open Defecation Free”. She also declared to launch another sanitation drive for a fortnight for special cleaning of its areas to make it litter free as well.