700 jhuggi jhopri clusters to get toilet blocks

The capital’s 700 jhuggi jhopri clusters will get toilet facilities as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The decision was taken in view of the shortage of toilet blocks in these clusters, said Amar Nath, Chief Executive Officer with Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).

The department will also be responsible for maintenance of these toilet blocks.
“Shortage of toilet blocks in JJ clusters has made the board to take it as a mission to provide these facilities in around 700 jhuggi jhopri colonies,” said DUSIB.

A database has been prepared and the colonies with the maximum shortage of toilet blocks have been identified. DUSIB will provide these JJ clusters with toilet blocks at the earliest, said Nath.

The city’s shelter homes are likely to have better sanitary conditions with DUSIB carrying out cleanliness drives under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The department cleaned around 185 shelter homes with the help of officials and NGO volunteers.

DUSIB has constituted 11 inspection teams to review the ongoing cleanliness drive.
Also, a centralised control room has been set up at the DUSIB headquarters to monitor the activities in offices, various complexes, night shelters and JJ clusters, said Nath.

The teams each headed by a Deputy Director of the department will ensure that the cleanliness drive is being actively implemented in the night shelters and JJ clusters.
During the drive, officials and volunteers at NGOs removed garbage and construction and demolition waste (malba) from the shelters.

The neighbouring areas around the night shelters were also spruced up to provide the homeless with healthy surroundings.

“We have asked NGOs running shelter homes to inculcate the values of personal hygiene in destitues. With the help of homeless people we can keep the night shelters and their surroundings clean,” said Kamal Malhotra, DUSIB Director (Night Shelter).