East Delhi Mayor Neema Bhagat on Thursday announced that 64 wards of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) will be open defecation free by October 2. The Corporation has already constituted various teams to visit all the EDMC schools to sensitise teachers, staff and students. Similarly, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, self help groups, market associations and ward Councillors were also oriented regarding the protocol of ODF.
EDMC Commissioner Mohanjeet Singh said that it has required number of community toilets which meet the norms of availability of toilets within 500 metre distance from the residents of persons who do not have individual household toilets.
"The areas have been identified and strict vigil is being insured. Civil defense volunteers are being deployed to educate and prevent people from open defecation in the areas," he said.
He further said that CFAR and CURE NGO have been roped in to bring about behavioral changes among the citizens who still do not understand the importance of use of toilets. He added that 52 teams of health workers have been deployed to run awareness campaigns in areas which have open defecation menace.