A widespread awareness regarding cleanliness has developed among the people: Chief Minister.
The cleanliness campaign has gained new momentum: Chhattisgarh is progressing towards becoming an ODF Plus state.
The Chief Minister flagged off 10 D-sludge vehicles: Sarpanchs and secretaries were handed over the keys to the D-sludge vehicles.
Raipur, January 11, 2025 / The objective with which our country’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014 is now being realized in Chhattisgarh. Widespread awareness regarding cleanliness has developed among the people, and toilets have been constructed in millions of households. He stated that this has been made possible by the foresight and willpower of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The resolve of our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for a clean and developed nation is also an important goal for the people of Chhattisgarh. To achieve this goal, our state is rapidly progressing towards making Chhattisgarh an ODF Plus model state, crossing new milestones every day. This is not just a goal; it is a lifestyle of cleanliness, which will lead to our development and the nation’s development. So far, 5 districts, 58 development blocks, and more than 16,000 villages in our state have become ODF Plus model villages. Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said this while flagging off 10 D-sludge vehicles from his residence today, with the aim of strengthening the sanitation system and promoting cleanliness in rural areas.
Chief Minister Shri Sai commended the initiatives undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), stating that it will help improve the level of sanitation in rural areas. During this time, Chief Minister Shri Sai handed over the keys and documents of the D-sludge vehicles to the Sarpanchs and Secretaries of the Gram Panchayats of 10 different districts of the state. Notably, these vehicles will be used to remove waste from homes in villages and dispose of it safely.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that this initiative will prove to be a big step towards improving sanitation and health. This will help curb diseases spread due to dirt in rural areas. He also appealed to the public to cooperate in maintaining cleanliness. Chief Minister Shri Sai said that fecal sludge treatment plants are also being set up in the state to promote sanitation, which will strengthen waste management and also help in environmental protection. He said that under this new initiative, the state government is committed to making sanitation campaigns more effective.
The role of the Sarpanch is crucial in village development, the Chief Minister shared his experience.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that the role of the Sarpanch is the most important in village development. I was a panch before, and then due to good work, I was also elected as Sarpanch unopposed. He said that the reason for mentioning this is only one – that the Gram Panchayat is the most primary link in development, and if the panch and sarpanch are vigilant about their rights and responsibilities, then it will not take time to change the picture of the village.
Addressing the program, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that the state government is continuously striving to implement cleanliness comprehensively. The availability of D-sludge vehicles will benefit people residing in rural areas. He also spoke about the need and utility of D-sludge vehicles.
It is noteworthy that the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is an important program of the government, and Chhattisgarh has always been a leader in sanitation programs. In Phase 1 of the mission, the state constructed more than 3.2 million toilets, achieving the national target ahead of time and creating a record of becoming an open defecation-free state. In Phase 2 of the mission, in the process of establishing itself as an ODF Plus model state, 5 districts of the state – Durg, Kabirdham, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Janjgir-Champa, and Dhamtari – 57 development blocks, and more than 16,000 villages have become ODF Plus model villages. In this series, with the aim of proper disposal of waste from toilets, fecal sludge treatment plants are being constructed in all districts of the state. In these fecal sludge treatment plants, the waste from septic tanks of nearby villages will be treated. When septic tanks are full, the concerned family or institution can contact these plants to empty the tanks.