India Reaches 5.67 Lakh ODF Plus Villages in World Toilet Day Update

Officials cite expanded toilet coverage as driving a shift toward waste management with a focus on long-term upkeep.

Overview

Official data released by the Jal Shakti Ministry report a 467% rise in ODF Plus villages since December 2022, with more than 95% of villages now in that category.
Of the total, 4.86 lakh villages have attained the ODF Plus Model stage, which includes sustained ODF status, solid and liquid waste management, and visible cleanliness.
Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil said the Centre supported states in constructing over 12 crore toilets and pledged continued funding for sanitation maintenance.
Paatil credited the Swachh Bharat Mission with driving behavioural change away from open defecation and said improved sanitation has saved around 300,000 children.
Gujarat reported more than 68.7 lakh household toilets and over 13,000 ODF Plus Model villages, alongside Phase-II measures that prioritize solid and liquid waste systems and resource recovery.