Explanation:

Explanation

Since the launch of the SBM-G in 2014, over 10 crore toilets have been built in rural areas; over 5.9 lakh villages, 699 districts, and 35 States/UTs have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Open Defecation Free Status

• ODF: An area can be notified or declared as ODF if at any point of the day, not even a single person is found defecating in the open.

Why Open Defecation + and Open Defecation ++

• To ensure the sustainability and long term impact of the ODF status.
• The SBM ODF+ and SBM ODF++ protocols build upon the ODF protocol while keeping true to its provisions, so as to provide a platform for cities and towns to improve sanitation sustainability. The protocols are incremental in nature, and reflect on-ground realities present in India.

What are the difference between Open Defecation + and Open Defecation ++

• Cities and towns that have already achieved ODF status as per the ODF protocol prescribed by MoHUA and are working towards ensuring sustainability of the ODF status to ensure proper maintenance of toilet facilities are referred to as SBM ODF+.
• ODF ++ includes safe collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of all faecal sludge and sewage besides the protocols of ODF+ in order to achieve safe sustainable sanitation for all. It is step further for enhanced sustainability of the sanitation in the cities.

Pre requisites to achieve ODF+

• Individual toilets should be functional and well-maintained, with water availability.
• All public areas have functional public toilets within a span of 1 km.
• While deciding the number of toilet seats/urinals and blocks, the city’s entire floating population must have been considered.
• The city has sufficient mobile toilets/toilet facilities for use during occasions with large gatherings in a single area
• Once a city has communicated to the respective state government the final resolution declaring the city to be SBM ODF+, and the state government has communicated the same to MoHUA (or in case of development authority or cantonment board, city has directly communicated to MoHUA), a third party verification process (“Swachh Certification for SBM ODF+”) is to be adopted, for the final SBM ODF+ certification.

Prerequisites to achieve SBM ODF++

• All necessary conditions for SBM ODF+ (as per the SBM ODF+ protocol laid down by MoHUA) have been achieved, except that at least 25% of functional public and community toilets must adhere to the additional conditions.
• All toilets (individual, community and public) are either connected to (a) sewer networks; or (b.) safe containment systems (such as septic tanks, twin pits or other on-site sanitation systems prescribed by CPHEEO or under SBM-Urban Mission Guidelines).