What Gains Has India Made in Its Swachh Bharat Mission?
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Synopsis
India's Swachh Bharat Mission is transforming the nation's sanitation landscape. With impressive infrastructure improvements in rural and urban areas, learn about the significant progress made since 2014 and the ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable sanitation solutions for all citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Over 11.9 crore toilets built since 2014.
- Strong participation from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Challenges in maintaining community sanitation facilities persist.
- Government funding has significantly increased to support these initiatives.
- Future phases will prioritize behavior change and sustainability.
New Delhi, July 24 (NationPress) The sanitation landscape in India is witnessing remarkable improvements through the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), showcasing substantial advancements in infrastructure in both rural and urban settings.
A recent response in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, revealed that the nation has successfully built over 11.9 crore individual household latrines (IHHLs) and 2.6 lakh community sanitary complexes (CSCs) under SBM-Grameen since 2014.
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the frontrunner with over 2.5 crore IHHLs, followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
In urban regions, the SBM-Urban initiative and its subsequent phase have contributed an impressive 63.78 lakh household toilets and 6.36 lakh public and community toilet seats, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh being the principal contributors.
Nevertheless, the report underscores ongoing challenges in the upkeep of community facilities. Many CSCs are plagued by inadequate maintenance due to ambiguous ownership, insufficient funding, and limited public awareness.
Despite these hurdles, Gram Panchayats in various states are showing innovation by linking toilet facilities to local enterprises and running awareness programs to enhance sustainability.
The government has allocated significant Central funding to bolster sanitation initiatives—Rs 28,849 crore in 2014-15 under SBM-G, peaking at Rs 21,629 crore in 2018-19, and Rs 3,622 crore in 2024-25.
As for SBM-U, Rs 1,892 crore was disbursed in 2024-25, alongside additional funds through the revised SNA-Sparsh model.
The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2023-24 survey, encompassing over 17,000 villages and 2.6 lakh households, indicated that 95.1 percent of rural households now have access to toilets, while 78.7 percent have provisions for greywater disposal.
However, only 39.9 percent segregate waste, and 29.4 percent of villages possess adequate waste storage facilities.
In infrastructure terms, 61.4 percent of Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs) and 58.5 percent of GOBARdhan biogas plants were reported to be operational.
Urban sanitation assessments revealed that 4,692 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have received ODF certification, with 1,973 achieving ODF++ status and 214 certified Water+.
The government is determined to maintain ODF status and advance solid and liquid waste management under SBM-G Phase II.
Financial support of up to Rs 60 per capita is available for smaller villages, while Rs 45 is designated for larger ones. Each block is expected to establish at least one PWMU, with Rs 16 lakh earmarked per unit.
The next phase of the mission will emphasize behavior change, technological innovation, and inclusive sanitation planning to secure a lasting impact.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the ongoing efforts and progress made under the Swachh Bharat Mission. While challenges persist, the commitment from various stakeholders displays a collective approach towards achieving sustainable sanitation in India. We must continue to support these initiatives for the betterment of our communities.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Swachh Bharat Mission?
The Swachh Bharat Mission is a national campaign initiated by the Government of India aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene across the country.
How many toilets have been constructed under this mission?
Over 11.9 crore individual household latrines and 2.6 lakh community sanitary complexes have been constructed since the mission's inception.
What are the main challenges faced in maintaining sanitation facilities?
The primary challenges include unclear ownership of community facilities, lack of dedicated funding, and limited public awareness.
How is the government supporting sanitation efforts financially?
The government has provided significant funding, with allocations peaking at Rs 21,629 crore in 2018-19 for SBM-G and Rs 1,892 crore for SBM-U in 2024-25.
What is the aim of the next phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission?
The next phase will focus on behavior change, technological innovation, and inclusive sanitation planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
