Slums to be open-defecation free by March, says Kejriwal

New Delhi, June 22

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today reaffirmed that all slum clusters in the city will be made open defecation-free by March next year, even as his cabinet minister Satyendar Jain promised to provide pucca houses to slum dwellers by 2022.

Speaking at the inaugural function of newly-constructed toilet complex in Jangpura, Kejriwal said around 10,000 community toilets have been constructed by the government in the last two years.

Kejriwal said soon after the AAP government was formed, he had enquired the officers about the time period for making all jhuggi jhopri (JJ) clusters in the city open defecation-free, adding that the time period assessed varied from five to 10 years.

"However, I gave them a target of 2-3 years and promised that there will not be any shortage of funds. All slum clusters will now become open-defecation free by March 2018," Kejriwal told a gathering at Madrasi Basti in Jangpura area.

A total of 810 toilets across the city, constructed by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and located at different locations, were inaugurated today.

He said that provision of toilets in the slums would be a big step in strengthening women safety, besides the government's initiative to install CCTV cameras in city buses.

Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain, who was also present at the event, said the government will provide pucca houses to slum dwellers by 2022, a dream of the Chief Minister. — PTI