The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) was launched by Government of India on 2nd October 2014. The Mission is implemented by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) and covers all statutory cities and towns and achieves the objective of providing sanitation and household toilet facilities across India, and drive to 100% Open Defecation Free households by 2nd October, 2019.
Assam is on the verge of a developing state but there is lack of adequate fund for implementing different components of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). A significant population of Assam still does not have access to sanitary latrine system causing major environmental and health risk. The incidences of water and sanitation related diseases like diarrhoea, malaria etc. is common in all the areas where insanitary/open defecation is still prevalent. Implementation of proper infrastructure and maintenance of these sanitation facilities through intensive demand creation is critical to address the existing sanitation and hygiene issues because of financial constraints.
The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Assam in Co-operation with all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has identified Insanitary/Kutcha Latrines prevailing under the administration of ULBs across Assam. On the basis of survey report received from ULBs, the Mission has Sanctioned 68338 Units of Household Latrines & 2280 Community Toilets/Public toilets. It is however relevant to state that “No Latrine” cases rarely exist in Assam.
On the basis of all facts & figures, State Mission Directorate envisages to declare Assam, 100% Open Defecation Free households by 2nd October, 2017.