Swachh Bharat Mission: An Outstanding Achievement, But Challenges Remain

1. Swachh Bharat Mission: An Outstanding Achievement, But Challenges Remain Swachh Bharat Mission, also known as the Clean India Mission, was launched by the Indian government on October 2, 2014, with the aim of creating a clean and open defecation-free India by October 2, 2019. The mission has been a massive success, with significant achievements in both the rural and urban areas of the country. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the mission's objectives are fully met. Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin: The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, which focuses on the rural areas of the country, has been one of the most successful initiatives of the Indian government. The mission aimed to eliminate open defecation and to provide access to toilets to all households in rural areas. According to official figures, the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin has been able to achieve 100% open defecation-free status in all states and Union Territories of India. The government claims that over 110 million toilets have been built in rural areas since the launch of the mission. Additionally, more than 700,000 villages have been declared open defecation-free, and over 600,000 villages have been certified as such. The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin has also led to a significant increase in the use of toilets. According to a survey conducted by the National Annual Rural Sanitation Survey, the usage of toilets in rural areas has increased from 38.7% in 2014 to 100% in 2019. Swachh Bharat Mission Urban: The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban focuses on the sanitation and cleanliness of urban areas in the country. The mission aims to achieve 100% door-to-door waste collection, segregation of waste at source, and the disposal of waste in a scientific and environmentally-friendly manner. The mission has been successful in achieving many of its objectives. According to official figures, 4,320 cities and towns have been declared open defecation-free, and 100% door-to-door waste collection has been achieved in 63% of the cities and towns. Additionally, 52% of the waste generated is being processed and treated in an environmentally-friendly manner. Challenges: Despite the significant achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the mission's objectives are fully met. One of the major challenges is the sustainability of the infrastructure that has been built. Many toilets that have been built in rural areas are not being used because of a lack of water or maintenance. Similarly, in urban areas, many waste treatment plants are not functioning at full capacity because of a lack of trained personnel or inadequate funding.

2. Another significant challenge is changing the behaviour of the people. While the government has been successful in creating awareness about the importance of cleanliness and sanitation, there is still a need to change the mindset of people towards waste disposal and personal hygiene. Conclusion: The Swachh Bharat Mission has been a massive success, with significant achievements in both the rural and urban areas of the country. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the mission's objectives are fully met. The government needs to focus on ensuring the sustainability of the infrastructure that has been built, and on changing the behaviour of the people towards cleanliness and sanitation. With continued efforts, India can become a truly clean and open- defecation-free country.