Overview of Swachh Bharat Mission
Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) aimed to ensure every household in India had access to a toilet. In a decade, over 12 crore household toilets have been constructed, and every village has declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF), significantly enhancing public health and dignity, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
Challenges and Transition to SBM-G Phase II
The real challenge lies in managing faecal waste effectively. The transition to Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), or SBM-G, Phase II focuses on ODF Plus, encompassing solid and liquid waste management, behavioral change, and safe sanitation service chains. By October 2025, 97% of villages have been declared ODF Plus.
Faecal Sludge Management
- Faecal sludge management is crucial, especially in peri-urban and rural areas.
- Maharashtra leads with over 200 faecal sludge treatment plants in urban areas and co-treatment in 41 sewage treatment plants.
Urban-Rural Partnerships
In Satara district, Maharashtra, urban-rural partnerships are being implemented. Satara city's treatment plant is shared with nearby villages, managed by a private service provider under gram panchayat contracts. Desludging occurs every five years, funded by a modest sanitation tax.
Independent Village Solutions
Villages like Mayani in Khatav taluka manage waste independently. Scheduled desludging every five to seven years is planned, with a cluster-level faecal sludge treatment plant proposed for 80 surrounding villages.
Conclusion
The model in Satara promotes sustainable sanitation services through urban-rural collaboration. It showcases the importance of integrating faecal sludge management into rural sanitation, requiring cooperation between governments, private and public sectors, and communities. Scaling such models can transform rural sanitation nationwide, ensuring sustained sanitation gains.
