Andhra Pradesh targets January 2016 to be free of open defecation

Currently, under IHHL (Individual Household Latrine) scheme, 59,000 toilets have been built in the state against the total sanctioned 1.14 lakh toilet.The Andhra Pradesh has set a target of becoming free of open-defecation by January 1, 2016, and will rope in Jack Sim, the founder of World Toilet Organisation, to plan how to to achieve target. Currently, under IHHL (Individual Household Latrine) scheme, 59,000 toilets have been built in the state against the total sanctioned 1.14 lakh toilets. The state government had set October 2, 2015 as the deadline for completion of the scheme.

“Under phase 1 of Swachh Andhra Pradesh program, we want to make AP open defecation-free by Janaury 2016,” an official said. He also added that at a meeting with Municipal Commissioners, officials of municipalities, at Vijayawada, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu warned that he will make surprise visits to all municipalities to check on the cleanliness programme. The AP Government has asked all municipal commissioners to work on benchmarking their cities/towns against international standards. Officials have been asked to work on pollution controlling mechanism and management of sewerage, treatment of sewerage water, debris management due to increasing construction activity and construction of quality sanitary household and community toilets. This kind of benchmarking, according to officials, should evolve into a healthy competition between towns, by eventually becoming a public campaign. Municipal officials were told to create awareness in public where they can become responsible for their actions. We will also seek feedback from public on how municipalities are carrying out beautification programs.