India’s rural sanitation mission is moving into its next phase with an emphasis on sustainability, data credibility and community-led ownership, the government said on Monday, after a high-level roundtable reviewed progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil said sanitation and water security must advance together, noting that safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission increases the responsibility for effective greywater management under SBM-G.

“The ODF Plus model is not just about numbers, it is about quality of life, health and dignity for rural families,” Patil said.

ODF Plus model is an advanced sanitation classification that builds on the Open Defecation Free status by ensuring sustainable hygiene and comprehensive waste management practices in villages and towns.

The minister called for innovation in waste-to-energy, climate-resilient sanitation and rainwater harvesting under the government’s “Catch the Rain” campaign.

Collective Effort Behind Gains

Minister of State V. Somanna credited communities, panchayats, and states for their achievements so far, but urged the development of stronger systems for behavior change, operations and maintenance. He emphasized the importance of engaging women, youth, and sanitation workers as leaders in rural cleanliness.

Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ashok K.K. Meena said reliable, locally owned data would underpin future progress. “From Panchayats to Village Water Sanitation Committees, women leaders to children, all should act as change agents,” he said.

Mission Director Kamal Kishore Soan added that dashboards must reflect ground realities, stressing that sanitation is a “daily habit” rather than a one-time achievement.

Key Achievements Highlighted

Government data showed that:

  • 81 percent of villages are classified as ODF Plus Model Villages
  • 91 percent have greywater management systems
  • 84 percent have solid waste management systems
  • 67 percent of blocks have plastic waste management coverage

Officials also noted the expansion of GOBARdhan biogas plants, integration of water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH, curriculum in schools and progress under the Swachh Sujal Gaon campaign.

Best Practices Across States

States shared successful models, including Himachal Pradesh’s cluster-based solid waste management in Dharamshala, Odisha’s women-led waste initiatives, Bihar’s digital “Kabadmandi” platform, Karnataka’s fecal sludge and greywater treatment plants, and Assam’s climate-resilient sanitation, such as floating toilets.

Other states showcased innovations ranging from biogas expansion to mobile toilet cleaning services and the reuse of plastic waste for road construction.

The roundtable concluded that the next phase of SBM-G would focus on sustaining open defecation-free gains, improving visual cleanliness, and scaling up complete waste management solutions as part of India’s broader goal of achieving a “Viksit Bharat” or developed India.

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