Over 90% of villages in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus status, as announced by the Jal Shakti Ministry. ODF Plus is an advanced milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), focusing on sustaining ODF achievements while enhancing sanitation and waste management practices. While ODF status means a community has eliminated open defecation, ODF Plus ensures the sustainability of this practice by adding waste management and other sanitation measures.
Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have achieved 98% ODF Plus coverage, while Madhya Pradesh leads with 99% of its villages meeting the criteria. Madhya Pradesh also boasts that 95% of its villages have reached the ODF Plus Model status, which is the most advanced level. Bihar, although slightly lower, has achieved 92% coverage.
Punjab has integrated grey water management in 87% of its ODF Plus villages and is now focusing on improving solid waste management systems. Madhya Pradesh has introduced innovative plastic waste management programs by partnering with recyclers. Uttar Pradesh has trained over 1 lakh personnel to implement SBM-G objectives and has launched waste-to-energy projects and collaborations with kabadiwalas (waste collectors). Bihar is addressing underperforming districts and has achieved 91% coverage in grey water management and 80% in solid waste management.
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Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil praised these efforts during a high-level review meeting with state officials and mission directors. He emphasized that sanitation is more than infrastructure—it is a movement that transforms the health and dignity of rural communities. He encouraged states to adopt innovative approaches and include women’s self-help groups, local leaders, and private enterprises to ensure long-term success.
The government aims to achieve “Sampoorna Swachhata” (comprehensive cleanliness), which extends beyond sanitation to include water conservation, waste management, and overall community well-being. This mission aligns with global goals like Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 for clean water and sanitation and SDG 3 for health and well-being. Minister Patil reiterated the importance of collective efforts to make every village a model of cleanliness and sustainable development.
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