Swachh Bharat Mission's Urban and Gramin Success: What’s Driving the Progress?

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is one of the largest sanitation movements led by the Government of India, having been spearheaded by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. It was launched on October 2, 2014, and sought to change the sanitation scenario in the country during a time when open defecation was widespread, affecting urban and rural India alike. Cleanliness and sanitation are very important things. The facilities for proper sanitation are a must for good public health and social well-being. Before the launch of SBM, the situation regarding sanitation in India was quite dismal, as nearly 600 million people were involved in the practice of open defecation, leading not only to severe health risks but also hampering the pace of social and economic development. Since then, the mission has made remarkable strides in improving sanitation facilities. The Government of India reported the construction of over 40 million toilets across the country in the first four years of the mission. This has led to an increase in access to sanitation in rural areas, rising from less than 40% in 2014 to nearly 100% by 2020.

Background of the Swachh Bharat Mission

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was officially launched on October 2, 2014, by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at Rajghat, New Delhi. This date was chosen to honour Mahatma Gandhi on his 145th birth anniversary, aligning the mission's goals with the principles of cleanliness and sanitation that Gandhi championed. The primary objective of the mission was to provide sanitation facilities to every family, including the construction of toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal systems, and ensuring a safe and adequate drinking water supply across the country by October 2, 2019.

Swachh Bharat Mission comprises of two sub-missions: Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U). Gramin essentially deals with the construction of individual and community toilets, eradication of open defecation and solid and liquid waste management by local governance bodies such as Gram Panchayats. As for the Urban initiative, it includes cleaning the streets, roads and infrastructure within the cities and also raises awareness among the public on issues relating to sanitation and hygiene. The commitment of the government towards sanitation and hygiene is very explicit. It is not only mirrored through the ambitious goals set by the SBM but also through proactive involvement at the very top. Inspired personal engagement by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi during the launch event endeavoured to inspire the citizens for the cause and send a message that cleanliness is everyone's responsibility. The campaign encouraged each and every individual to be responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings and thus contributing to a clean India.

Success stories in urban areas

SBM-U has brought impressive changes in many cities in India, wherein Indore and Surat have emerged as role models for maintaining cleanliness and efficiently managing the municipalities' scientific waste. The city of Indore has topped the ranking in Swachh Surekshan and has been accorded the status of India's cleanest city for many consecutive years. This is attributed to the entire system of waste management, including waste collection from door to door, segregation at source and proper composting. Hence, Indore is one among the 3,547 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) that have been declared as Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF+), with functional and hygienic community and public toilets. The local authorities have imposed a strict fine for littering, in addition to raising public awareness about adopting sustainable practices.

Similarly, Surat has gone a long way in managing its waste and sanitation. Innovative strategies of waste management have transformed it from one of the dirtiest cities into one of the cleanest cities. Surat deploys technology for tracking waste collection and disposal, as for that matter, its processing at different waste processing plants. The city is one among the 1,191 ULBs that have achieved ODF++ status, meaning complete faecal sludge management. According to local authorities, public awareness related to sanitation has increased manifold, with people showing up as volunteers in cleanliness drives and community activities. Testimonials from residents point to a new civic pride in cleanliness; many residents speak of an improved quality of life. These victories in Indore and Surat document the potential of the Swachh Bharat Mission to bring in a cleaner and healthier atmosphere in cities by efficiently managing their waste and enlisting the community.

Source- sbmurban.org

Note- Data is as of September 2024

Success stories in rural areas

Success stories of SBM have emerged in a host of villages across India. For instance, Koraput village in Odisha, despite all the challenges, has been able to declare itself Open Defecation Free (ODF). It was local governance and active participation from citizens that led to the community's commitment to eliminating open defecation. In Gujarat, seven villages constructed household toilets and thus reached their ODF status. These success stories are the result of community involvement and the prioritisation of sanitation by local leaders.

Similarly in Navlewadi, Maharashtra, the government assisted the village in laying pipelines for fresh water and water tanks to ease the continuous problem of water scarcity. The government not only helped in the construction of toilets but also ensured that the families had a good quantity of provision of clean water to maintain proper hygiene. Success has been achieved by SBM mainly through community participation in rural areas.

In Darora village in Uttar Pradesh, children below the age of ten years took brooms to clean their village, encouraging people to join the efforts and connect with them. Local community involvement highlights the key actions needed at different levels to create real improvements in sanitation practices.

At the local level, governance structures, including Gram Panchayats, mobilise and create mechanisms for accountability in the implementation of sanitation projects. An innovative cluster-level plastic waste management system was a novelty under SBM Phase II in Sasewadi Gram Panchayat, Pune district, Maharashtra. It will not only help in managing plastic waste but also contribute to achieving ODF+ status. Community meetings were arranged to sensitise the residents about waste segregation and its management. Shortly, it became a resident movement where every person claimed ownership of the sanitation initiatives.

The impact of achieving ODF status is significant for health and quality of life in rural areas. With improved sanitation facilities, cases of waterborne diseases were reduced; therefore, families started to enjoy better health status. Besides, dignified toilets with decent waste disposal systems have increased dignity and safety for the worst-hit women and children due to poor sanitation. So far, over five lakh villages have declared themselves ODF+, which further gives credence to the community-led interventions and the commitment of the Indian government towards a neat and healthy rural environment. Sixteen states and Union Territories have so far achieved 100% ODF+ status, which goes on to show that sustainable sanitation is achievable when communities come together.

Source- PIB

Note-2024*- As of July 2024

Driving factors behind the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has made remarkable strides in improving sanitation across India, driven by several key factors:

• Government policies and funding
  The SBM was officially launched on October 2, 2014, with a bold goal of transforming the sanitation behaviour of 550 million people and constructing 100 million toilets within five years. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) has received an allocation of US$ 3.72 billion (Rs. 7,192 crore), reflecting a 3% rise from last year's revised budget. This funding is directed towards maintaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in rural areas and advancing solid and liquid waste management initiatives. The overall budget demonstrates the government's persistent commitment to improving sanitation and hygiene across the country, continuing the momentum established by the SBM since its launch in 2014.
• Community engagement and awareness programs
  Community involvement has been a cornerstone of the SBM's success. The initiative encouraged village-led initiatives, fostering a sense of pride and friendly competition among communities striving for ODF status. Events such as the “Gaurav Yatra” (pride tour) celebrated these achievements, while awareness programmes highlighted the importance of sanitation for health and dignity. This grassroots involvement transformed sanitation from a taboo topic into a community priority.
• Role of technology and innovation in sanitation solutions
  Technology has played a significant role in advancing sanitation solutions under the SBM. Innovative approaches, such as the use of mobile apps for monitoring toilet construction and maintenance, have streamlined processes and improved accountability. Additionally, the introduction of eco-friendly toilets and waste management systems has enhanced sustainability, ensuring that the benefits of the mission are long-lasting.
• Partnerships with NGOs and the private sector
  The success of the SBM can also be attributed to effective partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector. Collaborations with these entities have facilitated community outreach, education and resource mobilisation, amplifying the mission's impact. These partnerships have brought expertise and additional funding, further strengthening the initiative.
• Innovative marketing campaigns
  Innovative marketing campaigns have been crucial in promoting the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and raising awareness about sanitation. A notable example is the "Swachh Bharat" anthem, launched in 2019, featuring prominent Bollywood celebrities to inspire a nationwide movement for cleanliness. This anthem was widely shared on social media and television, effectively engaging the youth. Additionally, campaigns such as “#MyCleanIndia” encouraged citizens to showcase their cleanliness efforts online, fostering community involvement and pride. These creative strategies not only increased the mission's visibility but also shifted public perception, making sanitation a priority across the country.

Innovative solutions for the Swachh Bharat Mission

• Leveraging technology and AI
  Artificial intelligence and robotics are steadily being integrated to change the face of sanitation practices. For example, the recent introduction of India's first septic tank cleaning robot, the Homosep Atom, is nothing short of a revolution in manual cleaning methods. With this robot, confined spaces can be inspected, cleaned and managed with much reduced risks associated with manual scavenging and increased efficiency at work. Currently, this technology functions in 16 cities, effectively clearing blockages in manholes and helping reduce sewage overflows.
• Innovative waste management solutions
  Startups such as Solinas are making miniature robots that enter pipelines to clean up any type of contamination. Solinas’ technologies, including Endobot and Swasth AI, have been crucial in the detection and mitigation of water contamination and wastage; thus offering sustainable solutions against urban sanitation problems.

Conclusion

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has achieved significant milestones in improving sanitation across India, enhancing public health, promoting dignity and fostering community engagement. In the future, sustaining government support will be very cardinal to sustaining momentum and ensuring that the progress achieved so far can be expanded. This will involve sustained funding, policy support and encouragement of innovative solutions to meet emerging challenges in sanitation. While community engagement is equally important, a sense of ownership and pride in cleanliness helps citizens take on greater responsibility for contributing towards the cleanliness of their surroundings.

Looking ahead, the use of advanced technologies, including AI and robotics, will be very crucial in bringing changes in sanitation practices and helping deal with problems concerning manual scavenging and waste management. Collaboration with NGOs and the private sector will strengthen the scope and impact of the sanitation programmes, especially in areas that are deprived. Though the SBM has achieved enormous success, it needs to be a continuous process if a clean and healthy environment for all citizens is the goal.