Context: Recently, Swachh Bharat Mission completed the 10 years of implementation on 2nd October 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,’ emphasises the importance of cleanliness and environmental well-being.

What is Swachh Bharat Mission?

• The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched on October 2, 2014, to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management and to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages.

• The Central government launched the second edition or the SBM 2.0 in 2021.

The mission was divided into:

• SBM-Gramin for villages (executed by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation)

• SBM-Urban for cities (executed by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs respectively)

• SBM’s main goal was to make India “Open defecation-free” (ODF), for which crores of household and community toilets had to be constructed.

• ODF: A city/ ward can be notified/ declared as an ODF city/ ODF ward if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating in the open.

Key-Achievements of SBM

As SBM completes a decade, here are some key accomplishments:

• Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status for Villages: One of the most notable achievements of the SBM is the dramatic reduction in open defecation in rural India. The mission aimed for an ODF India by 2019, prompting a massive toilet construction drive. The number of people practicing open defecation has decreased from 550 million to 320 million. Five states and over 200,000 villages have been declared ODF, marking a significant cultural shift in sanitation practices.

• Improved Toilet Coverage: SBM's focus on toilet construction has led to a substantial increase in sanitation access, particularly in rural areas. Toilet coverage rose from 45% in 2004-05 to 82.5% by 2019-21, improving public health, especially for women and children, and enhancing safety and dignity.

• Reduction in Infant Mortality: Studies have shown a correlation between improved sanitation and declining infant mortality rates. Research indicates that the SBM has likely prevented 60,000-70,000 infant deaths annually, as areas with higher toilet coverage report lower child mortality rates.

• Rise of ODF Plus Villages: Building on the success of ODF status, the SBM is now focusing on ODF Plus villages, which implement solid and liquid waste management systems. As of September 2023, over 4.4 lakh villages have achieved this status, promoting comprehensive sanitation and environmental sustainability.

• Waste Management Initiatives: SBM has introduced initiatives to enhance waste management through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The GOBARdhan scheme promotes the conversion of biodegradable waste into resources like biogas. Additionally, numerous units for plastic waste management have been established, showcasing innovative waste utilization methods.

• Swachh Survekshan: To promote urban sanitation, the Ministry of Urban Development launched the annual Swachh Survekshan, which ranks cities based on cleanliness and waste management. This initiative has fostered competition among cities to improve their sanitation efforts, significantly enhancing urban cleanliness.

• Behavioural Change: Perhaps the most profound achievement of the SBM is its success in changing public attitudes towards sanitation. Through extensive outreach campaigns and community mobilization, sanitation has become a national priority, instilling a sense of responsibility among citizens.

Impact of SBM

• Improved health: Averted 60,000–70,000 infant deaths annually by reducing waterborne diseases.

• Women Empowerment: Improved safety for women and women SHGs led waste management initiatives.

• Economic Benefits: Achieving ODF status saves households about ?50,000 yearly by lowering medical costs and travel time.

Challenges to SBM

• Lack of water supply, especially in rural areas. 

• Improper faecal sludge management, inappropriate toilet technologies, and inadequate human resources endanger sustaining ODF status. 

• Remediation challenge of legacy landfills in municipal waste management.

Road Ahead

• Sustainability of ODF Status: Create a system for regular checks and maintenance of toilets, involving community participation.

• Integration with Solid Waste Management: Create a plan that integrates sanitation and waste management with investments in waste segregation infrastructure.

• Use of Technology: Utilize technology for data collection on sanitation access and invest in innovative solutions like smart toilets.