Sep 8, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
Credit: BCCL
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) or the Clean Indian Mission is a nationwide campaign by the government of India which was launched on 2 October 2014. It was launched in two phases and currently the second phase is going and will end in 2025.
Credit: BCCL
The aim of this campaign is to improve the Indian in aspects like Cleanliness, Sanitation, Toilet construction and Infrastructure. Although the main aim is to achieve universal sanitation coverage in India.
Credit: BCCL
The first phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which covered both cities and villages, covered 100% scientific management of solid waste in 4,041 statutory towns in the country and the declaration of 6 lakh villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Credit: BCCL
Some of the major objectives include the elimination of open defecation, management of solid waste, community participation and awareness about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene and encouraging people to adopt healthy sanitation practices.
Credit: BCCL
Each year, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the Swachh Survekshan survey is conducted. This survey generates a comprehensive list of rankings, highlighting the cleanest cities and states nationwide.
Credit: BCCL
The implementation of SBM met with a lot of challenges in the form of behavioural change of people, waste management and resource allocation. But the most crucial one was the absence of proper sewage systems in villages.
Credit: BCCL
The Swachh Bharat Mission has achieved a number of milestones including construction of millions of toilets, improved sanitation practices, and the declaration of ODF (Open Defecation Free) villages and towns.
Credit: BCCL