As deadline nears, only 7 of 30 villages in Salcete are ODF Plus

Joao Sousa M

Margao: With the 2024-25 deadline looming to achieve ODF Plus model villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) Phase II, only seven of Salcete’s 30 villages have qualified as ODF Plus. All villages in the taluka were declared open defecation free (ODF) under SBM-G Phase I.

“Having achieved ODF status, SBM-G Phase II aims to achieve ‘sampoorn swachhata’ which includes sustaining ODF status and managing solid and liquid waste to transform villages into ODF Plus models by the end of the fiscal year  2024-25,” said a source at the Directorate of Panchayats.

Villages including Aquem Baixo, Camorlim, Cavelossim, Davorlim, Nuvem, Rumdamol, and Sarzora have been upgraded to ODF Plus model status. Additionally, Aquem Baixo, Assolna, Carmona, Nuvem, and Sarzora have been categorised under liquid waste management.

“An ODF Plus village is one that sustains its ODF status, manages solid and liquid waste, and is visually clean,” the official explained. This includes ensuring access to toilets for all households, schools, panchayat ghars and anganwadis.

Meanwhile, 24 villages including Benaulim, Ambelim, Assolna, Betalbatim, Carmona, Chandor, Colva, Rumdamol and others remain categorised as ‘aspiring’ under SBM-G 2.0.

The state government had declared Goa ODF in September 2019, amending the Goa Panchayati Raj Act to facilitate the establishment of community toilets in areas facing land constraints. However, the lack of land continues to pose challenges for many Salcete villages.

Launched on October 1, 2021 for a five-year period, SBM-G Phase II aims to achieve garbage-free villages through 100% source segregation, door-to-door waste collection and scientific management of all waste fractions.

The High Court is closely monitoring garbage management in the state. Regular meetings have been held between the Goa Solid Waste Management Corporation, village panchayats and other stakeholders to increase the number of ODF Plus villages in Salcete.

The official expressed confidence in doubling the number of ODF Plus villages, attributing progress to convergence between central and state government schemes. With a total outlay of Rs 1.4 lakh crore under SBM-G Phase II, funds are reportedly not an issue.