What is ODF Plus?

July 26, 2024

India now has 547,283 towns that are Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus). This was announced by the Jal Shakti Ministry. This project shows that the government is serious about making sanitation and waste management better.

Understanding ODF Plus

ODF Plus is a classification that supports the effort to end open defecation by focusing on long-lasting sanitation methods and efficient waste management systems. This makes towns work harder to keep things clean and smartly handle trash.

Categories of ODF Plus Villages

Aspiring Villages: These meet the basic requirements for solid waste management.
Rising Villages: These have both solid and liquid waste management systems in place.
Model Villages: Exceeding the criteria of the previous categories, Model villages ensure visual cleanliness and effective waste management while also promoting information and education on sanitation.

State-wise Achievements

Andhra Pradesh: 15,758 total ODF Plus villages.
Assam: 25,215 villages, including a significant number of Model villages.
Bihar: 30,225 ODF Plus villages, with a focus on Model categorisation.
Madhya Pradesh: 49,742 ODF Plus villages, leading in Model classifications.
Uttar Pradesh: 93,872 ODF Plus villages, with a diverse range of categories.
Rajasthan: 42,387 villages, showing strong progress in the Model category.
Gujarat: 17,719 villages achieving ODF Plus status.

Less Progress in Certain Areas

Contrastingly, regions like Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur show significantly fewer ODF Plus villages, highlighting regional disparities in sanitation progress. The ODF Plus initiative represents a critical development in India’s sanitation landscape, fostering healthier communities through improved waste management practices and promoting environmental sustainability.

About Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus

Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus extends the ODF initiative by promoting sanitation and hygiene, incorporating solid waste management. It aims to sustain ODF status through community engagement and education. Introduced by the Indian government, ODF Plus emphasizes behavior change and environmental health. It supports the implementation of safe sanitation facilities and ensures inclusivity for marginalized groups. ODF Plus also addresses the significance of menstrual hygiene management and encourages monitoring to maintain hygiene standards. This comprehensive approach aims for long-term public health improvements.

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