Recently, India’s Prime Minister inaugurated the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U 2.0). Under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the scheme aims to take crucial steps towards improving urban sanitation and waste management. This piece elaborates on the scheme’s key features, its primary objectives, expected outcomes, and the progress made during the first phase of the mission.
About the Second Phase of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U 2.0)
Introduced in the Budget 2021-22, SBM-U 2.0 is an extension of the first phase of the SBM-U. The initiative seeks to manage and further enhance safe containment, transport, and disposal of faecal sludge and septage from toilets across urban India. Launched on October 2nd, 2014, the first phase aimed for Open Defecation Free (ODF) urban India and complete scientific management of municipal solid waste. The new phase will be implemented over five years, from 2021 to 2026, with a budget allocation of Rs.1.41 lakh crore.
Main Objectives of SBM-U 2.0
The mission’s focus lies in promoting source segregation of garbage, reducing single-use plastic, and mitigating air pollution. This reduction is expected through effective waste management from construction, demolition activities, and bioremediation of all existing dump sites. Under SBM-U 2.0, complete treatment of wastewater before discharging into water bodies will be ensured. Reusing resources to the maximum extent possible is another priority of the government under this mission.
Expected Outcomes of the Mission
The mission envisages several key outcomes. Firstly, all statutory towns will earn ODF+ certification, emphasising water-efficient toilets and hygiene. Towns with fewer than 1 lakh inhabitants will achieve ODF++ certification, supporting toilets that effectively manage sludge and septage. Additionally, 50% of statutory towns with less than 1 lakh population will reach Water+ certification, aiming for sustainable toilets through treatment and reuse of water. All statutory towns are also expected to achieve a minimum 3-star rating on MoHUA’s Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free cities. Lastly, the initiative plans bioremediation of all legacy dumpsites.
Progress under the First Phase of SBM-U Mission
The first phase of SBM-U showed commendable achievements. It declared 4,324 urban local bodies as Open Defecation Free owing to the construction of over 66 lakhs individual household toilets and more than 6 lakhs community/public toilets, surpassing the Mission’s targets. Modern tools like the Swachhata App, a digital platform launched by MoHUA in 2016 for grievance redressal, have revolutionised citizen grievance management. Furthermore, under SBM-Urban, the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey known as Swachh Survekshan was initiated in 2016, covering over 4,000 Urban Local Bodies.
