Port Blair, Feb 15: Under the flagship programme of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase-II launched by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has achieved the unique feat of becoming the first ODF Plus Model Union Territory in the entire country.
This achievementwas attributed to the concerted measures taken by the UT Administration in the achievement of universal sanitation coverage following the saturation of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs), saturation in construction of Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and taking effective measures for Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
Under the Phase-I of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), 14775 numbers of beneficiaries were identified as part of the Baseline Survey-2012 and were assisted with an incentive amount of Rs.12,000/- for the construction of Individual Household Latrines.
With the GoI’s vision of ’No One Left Behind’ for sanitation access, the UT has additionally provided Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs) to 3828 individuals which are completed in full shape. Further, 296 Community Sanitary Complexes under SBM(G) Phase-I and 39 CSCs sanctioned under SBM(G) Phase-II are also completed.
For effective Solid Waste Management, the Department had set up 24 Solid Waste Management (SWM) clusters mapped to 70 Gram Panchayats in the Islands, The SWM cluster site has provision for treatment of organic waste through Composting.
The SWM Clusters are equipped with a Bailing and Shredding machine for the processing of non-biodegradable Solid Waste. The recyclable plastic, paper/cardboard, Tetrapacks and Multi-Layer Plastics (MLPs) are bailed and sent for recycling.
The non-recyclable plastic wastes are shredded and used in rural road construction. As per the notification issued by the A&N Administration, 8-10 % of shredded plastic usage is mandatory in road construction in the UT. The Department in March 2021 has identified one recycler for collection, management, processing and transportation of waste from SWM Clusters to the mainland.
The wastes are now taken from these clusters for further processing/recycling at approved rates, thereby adding to the revenue of Gram Panchayats.
An amount of Rs. 8,72,737/- (Rupees Eight Lakh Seventy Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Seven Only) was earned by the Gram Panchayats by selling dry waste to the recycler. For Liquid Waste Management, the rural villages in the Islands are equipped with proper drainage facilities.
The Department through IEC competitions – (Best CSC) wall painted all Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) in rural areas with motivational and informational IEC messages.
Converging with the World Bank Incentive Fund, the Department also took up the installation of large size hoardings in all Gram Panchayats displaying IEC messages on effective Solid Waste Management and aided them with infrastructures and tools for handling of Solid waste through Door to Door collection.
Further, efforts are made to clear all erstwhile legacy waste dumpsites and recover waste for further processing. To make Swachh Bharat a Jan Andolan, collaborations are made with Civil Society Organizations, Youth Clubs, etc. and regular beach clean-up programmes are conducted along the coastal area. The Department has also prepared one Audio Visual Documentary on the achievements of the scheme.
The achievement of the ODF Plus status by the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is one of its kind in the entire country. The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands complimented the Department for achieving ODF Plus status for the UT and conveyed his appreciation to all those involved in achieving the status.
