JOIN USThe BBMP has taken the task of making the city ‘Open Defecation Free’ (ODF) as a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The civic body will soon announce the wards that have been complying with ODF parameters.
BBMP Special Commissioner, Solid Waste Management (SWM), Subodh Yadav, said the parameters for a ward to be ODF are toilet facilities at educational institutions, functional toilets in households, construction of community toilets 500 metres away from areas devoid of toilets and public toilets within a kilometre of commercial complexes.
“Some wards are already following the ODF parameters and in the month of July, we are expecting to announce those wards and issue ward-level certificate followed by verification by BBMP officials. The certificate would be issued by ward engineers and health engineers. We will declare all 198 wards ODF in a phased manner,” Yadav added.
BBMP officials said funds will be sought under the Swachh Bharat Mission and toilets would be built at places where there are no facilities. Self-help groups, Resident Welfare Associations and volunteers will be approached for checking parameters in each ward.
“We have directed the BBMP joint commissioners of all the eight palike zones and chief engineers to ensure that ODF guidelines are followed in every ward. Fines would be slapped against those defecating in public,” said Yadav. The BBMP has issued a circular on ODF guidelines.