Ensuring sustainability of ODF status with community toilets

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 7

To sustain its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and ensure proper management of solid and liquid waste, the administration is set to build 28 community sanitary complexes at a cost of Rs87 lakh in various villages of the district.

These community sanitary complexes will also ensure that all sections of the village have access to safe sanitary facilities at any time.

These complexes are being constructed in those villages where people do not have sufficient space for toilets at homes. The complexes are being built in villages including Jalasingh, Khusropur, Jamsher, Bambianwal, Muhadipur, Bolina,Chachowal, Wadala/ Raipur, Chitti/ Johal, Manko, Litera Kalan, Ismialpur, Samrai, Jethpur, Chhota Bara Pind, Desalpur, Bal, Bhikha Nangal, Mallian, Salempur Masanda, Qasimpur, Rurka Kalan, Dhani Pind and Mander under the Har Ghar Pani Har Ghar Safai Mission.

Nangal Salempur village sarpanch Harbhajan Kaur said the work on the complex in her village would begin this week as all formalities, including funds, earmarking of land and others have been completed.

She said only two families, belonging to the poor strata, do not adequate space for toilets inside their houses.

Mangal Singh, sarpanch of the Sangal Sohal village, said these complexes would also be accessible to all people in the village and can also be used by passersby and participants of public gatherings, thereby ensuring open defecation in the village. He said the construction work has begun in the village and would be over by March end.

Block Development Panchayat Officer (BDPO) East Mahesh Kumar said he has been personally monitoring the construction of these complexes in seven villages so that these can be built soon. He said the water supply and sanitation department is the executive agency of these projects.

The Deputy Commissioner Ghandhyam Thori said that the directions have been issued to the officials for the timely completion of the complexes to ensure hygiene and healthy sanitary facilities to the people.