In big cities across India, there’s a problem that affects everyone: Sanitation Issue. It’s about keeping our streets clean, having toilets that work, and making sure our water is safe to drink. But in many places, these things are a big challenge. Let’s take a closer look at the sanitation issues facing urban India, why they matter, and what we can do to make our cities healthier and cleaner for everyone.
Regional Disparities:
- The sanitation scenario in India exhibits diverse challenges across states.
- In Uttar Pradesh, makeshift pits near construction sites reflect a resurgence in open-defecation practices. West Bengal witnesses the construction of unique “hanging toilets,” while Delhi’s landfills extend to serve as defecation grounds.
- In Tamil Nadu, unused toilets become playgrounds for wildlife, similar to reports from Goa.
- In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, substandard construction turns village toilets into potential hazards, whereas Mizoram features distinctive “tree house” toilets.
Rural Sanitation Issue Challenges:
- The impact of Covid-19 has led to a decline in sanitary toilet use in rural India. Over six lakh rural toilets face acute water shortages, with 1,20,000 lacking water supply and thousands abandoned with deteriorating conditions.
- The consequences include a four-fold increase in open defecation, often near garbage dumps containing used masks, PPE kits, and effluents.
- The pandemic has compelled sanitation workers to handle hazardous waste in even the remotest areas.
Manual Scavenging Concerns:
- Data from the National Commission of Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) indicates that 53,598 individuals, with a significant number in U.P., were identified as engaged in manual scavenging between 2013 and 2018.
- Tamil Nadu reported the highest fatalities related to manual scavenging, while Gujarat and Maharashtra lead in cases where compensation for such deaths was not paid.
Biomedical Waste Impact:
- The Covid-19 pandemic has substantially increased biomedical waste generation in India. From April to November, around 33,000 tonnes of Covid-19 biomedical waste were generated, compared to the pre-pandemic daily average of 610 MT. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi are among the top contributors to this surge.
Gender-Related Sanitation Insecurity:
- Women bear a disproportionate burden regarding Sanitation Issues The shortage or non-availability of sanitation facilities poses threats to women’s safety, leading to reduced food and water consumption to minimize the need to venture out for toilets. This underscores the gender-specific challenges in accessing adequate sanitation facilities.
Initiatives for Sanitation Issue
- The Swachhta Udyami Yojana by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment extends financial assistance for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Pay and Use Community Toilets in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode and Procurement and Operation of Sanitation related Vehicles
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) have jointly formulated a Scheme namely National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) aims to create an enabling ecosystem that recognizes Sewer and Septic Tank workers (SSWs) as one of the key contributors in operations and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure. The scheme is to be implemented in all 4800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the country, during the three years up to 2025-26.
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as a national campaign to promote cleanliness ,Sanitation Issues, and proper waste management in urban areas.
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 1.0: The first phase of SBM-U focused on achieving the target of making urban India ODF by providing access to toilets and promoting behavioral change.
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (2021-2026): The second phase of SBM-U aimed to go beyond ODF to ODF+, and ODF++, and focus on making urban India garbage-free.
Open Defecation Free Status for Sanitation Issues:
- ODF: An area can be notified or declared as ODF if, at any point of the day, not even a single person is found defecating in the open.
- ODF+: This status is given if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found defecating and/or urinating in the open, and all community and public toilets are functional and well-maintained.
- ODF++: This status is given if the area is already ODF+ and the fecal sludge/septage and sewage are safely managed and treated, with no discharging or dumping of untreated fecal sludge and sewage into the open drains, water bodies, or areas.
Path Forward for Improved Sanitation
- Efficient Waste Management: Establishing adequate facilities for the proper disposal of excreta is imperative. While encouraging toilet usage is a positive step, ensuring the treatment of fecal material is essential to prevent environmental harm.
- Waste Conversion Initiatives: Implementing solutions to convert waste into valuable resources can create hygienic surroundings and foster economic self-sufficiency for communities. This involves defining and executing strategies that offer a remunerative return on waste management efforts.
- Role of Trained Workforce: Enlisting a trained workforce plays a crucial role in driving behavioral change within society. This involves conducting participatory processes, where communities are informed about the detrimental effects of inadequate sanitation, fostering a collective commitment to improvement.
- Water Reuse Strategies: Recovering grey water through minimal treatment and effectively managing sewage can alleviate the strain on scarce water resources. Encouraging the reuse of treated water contributes to the conservation of water bodies.
- Village-Level Partnerships: Collaborative efforts between corporations and village communities can transform waste into a valuable asset. Utilizing simple and cost-effective technologies, communities can independently manage waste disposal, with a focus on building the capacity of gram panchayats in waste management.
- Thematic Interlinkages: The government should emphasize the interconnected nature of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) with key sectors like health, education, gender, nutrition, and livelihoods. Recognizing and addressing these interlinkages is essential for a comprehensive approach to development.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sanitation Issues
Q: What are sanitation issues in urban India?
Sanitation issues in urban India include inadequate toilet facilities, open defecation, improper waste management, and contamination of water sources.
Q: Why is sanitation important for city life?
Sanitation is crucial for maintaining public health, preventing the spread of diseases, preserving the environment, and ensuring the overall well-being and quality of life for urban residents.
Q: What challenges do people face with toilets and clean water in cities?
Challenges include limited access to toilets, especially in slum areas, poor sanitation infrastructure, water contamination due to improper waste disposal, and unequal distribution of resources, impacting the most vulnerable populations.
Q: How do sanitation problems affect public health?
Sanitation problems contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, as well as respiratory illnesses due to air pollution from open burning of waste, posing significant health risks to urban populations.
Q: What can be done to improve sanitation in urban areas?
Improvements can include building more public toilets, promoting household sanitation facilities, implementing proper waste management systems, raising awareness about hygiene practices, and investing in infrastructure upgrades and policy reforms to ensure equitable access to sanitation services for all residents.
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