Launched on October 1, 2021, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 is the successor to the first phase of the SBM-U (2014–2021). While the first phase focused on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, SBM-U 2.0 shifts the focus toward sustainable sanitation, scientific solid waste management, and the vision of a “Garbage-Free” Urban India.
Vision and Objectives
The mission aims to achieve its objectives over a five-year period, concluding in 2026. Its core vision includes:
- Garbage-Free Cities (GFC): To ensure 100% source segregation, door-to-door collection, and scientific processing of all fractions of municipal solid waste.
- Sustainability of Sanitation: Sustaining the ODF status achieved in Phase 1 and upgrading to higher standards of sanitation (ODF+ and ODF++).
- Liquid Waste Management: Ensuring no untreated wastewater is discharged into the environment, promoting the reuse of treated water.
- Legacy Waste Remediation: Clearing all legacy dumpsites to reclaim land and mitigate environmental hazards.
- Circular Economy: Shifting from a linear “collect and dump” model to a circular economy model focusing on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Mission Components
The mission is implemented through specific thematic areas eligible for funding:
- Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Includes setting up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), composting plants, bio-methanation plants, and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities. It also mandates mechanical sweeping and construction/demolition (C&D) waste processing.
- Sustainable Sanitation: Involves the construction of individual household latrines (IHHL), community and public toilets (CT/PT), and the retrofitting of insanitary toilets.
- Used Water Management: A new focus area for cities with less than 1 lakh population, ensuring the containment, transportation, and treatment of sewage and septage.
- Information, Education, and Communication (IEC): Large-scale citizen outreach to institutionalize “Swachh” behavior through campaigns like “Jan Andolan.”
Key Certification Protocols
To maintain high standards, the mission utilizes a rigorous certification framework for cities:
- ODF: No person is found defecating in the open.
- ODF+: Focuses on the functionality and cleanliness of community and public toilets.
- ODF++: Adds safe management and treatment of fecal sludge and septage.
- Water+: Entails the treatment of wastewater and its optimum reuse.
- Garbage-Free Star Rating: A SMART (Single metric, Measurable, Achievable, Rigorous, Targeted) framework based on source segregation, scientific processing, and remediation of dumpsites.
Financial Framework
The mission operates with a total financial outlay of approximately ₹1.41 lakh crore. The funding pattern between the Centre and States/UTs is structured to reflect the capacity of the local bodies:
| City/Area Category | Central Share : State/ULB Share |
| Million-plus population cities | 25 : 75 |
| Population 1–10 lakhs | 33 : 67 |
| Population less than 1 lakh | 50 : 50 |
| UTs without legislature | 100 : 0 |
| UTs with legislature | 80 : 20 |
Digital and Technical Enablers
- Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC): Used for monitoring and real-time tracking of waste management infrastructure.
- Digital Dashboards: Used for transparent monitoring of fund releases and project progress.
- SBM Portals: Allows for real-time reporting and citizen feedback through platforms like “SBM Toilets on Google Maps.”
- Capacity Building: Regular training for sanitation workers and municipal officials to manage and maintain urban infrastructure effectively.
Comparative Overview: SBM-U 1.0 vs. 2.0
- Focus: SBM-U 1.0 prioritized basic access to toilets and ODF status; SBM-U 2.0 prioritizes holistic waste management and environmental sustainability.
- Waste Management: SBM-U 2.0 introduces specific mandates for legacy dumpsite remediation and C&D waste processing, which were less prominent in the first phase.
- Liquid Waste: SBM-U 2.0 adds a significant focus on Used Water Management for smaller towns, ensuring comprehensive sewage treatment.
- Scale: With an outlay 2.5 times larger than the first phase, SBM-U 2.0 aims for a massive transformation of urban infrastructure toward a circular economy.