Highlights
- 16 out of 32 districts in Tamil Nadu are free from open defecation
- Tamil Nadu aims to achieve overall ODF target by March 2018
- Next district in the state to go ODF will be Thiruvarur
New Delhi: Tamil Nadu, the 11th largest state in India with almost 72 million people unlocks an achievement, declares two of its district free from the practice of open defecation – Ariyalur and Erode on the same day. Congratulating the efforts of the people of the two districts, Secretary Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Param Iyer added, “Congratulations to Team @swachhbharat Tamil Nadu. Ariyalur and Erode districts in Tamil Nadu have been declared #OpenDefecationFree.”
Congratulations to Team @swachhbharat TN. Ariyalur and Erode districts in Tamil Nadu have been declared #OpenDefecationFree.
— Param Iyer (@paramiyer_) January 8, 2018
As of date, 16 districts in the state out of 32 have achieved the open defecation free (ODF) status. Commenting on the progress the state has made under Swachh Bharat mission, Governor of the state, Banwarilal Purohit said,
I have witnessed commendable progress done by the State government in implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission. It is admirable that 16 districts in the State have already achieved the open defecation free (ODF) status.
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Since the inception of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the state has come a long way in terms of sanitation. In the last three years in rural areas, total sanitation coverage has increased from mere 48 per cent in 2014 to 88 per cent in 2018. More than 36 lakh toilets have been constructed so far in the state and the key reason behind this growth is the zeal and efforts of individuals in the toilet construction process.
The next district that is working in full swing to go ODF is Thiruvarur. The district has already converted its 25,438 dysfunctional toilets into functional toilets and is set to become ODF by end of February 2018.
Talking about state’s overall target, the goal to achieve the ODF status is set for March 2018.
