As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of <g data-gr-id="28">Swachh</g> Bharat Abhiyan from ramparts of the Red Fort completes one year on August 15, the BJP-ruled municipal corporations in Delhi have failed to construct a single toilet as part of the massive cleanliness drive.
Apart from this, high-end toilets, which were earlier constructed in <g data-gr-id="31">south</g> corporation area, were still lying unused due to some irregularities.
As Modi’s flagship project completes one year on August 15, 112 under-construction toilets and a proposal for 94 other toilets is what the three civic bodies have to show to the people of the national Capital. Construction of 30 women’s toilets at key markets/public places had also been announced by the Corporations. Plan to construct as many as 12 toilets under Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) fund is still in limbo as no step has been taken after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In addition to this, open defecation and scattered garbage along with poor waste management system at various places in the Capital has proved that the PM’s vision of a <g data-gr-id="33">Swachh</g> Bharat Abhiyan has failed to strike a chord.
The government’s survey, which has ranked the Capital as one of the dirtiest cities, has set the alarm bells ringing for the corporations. The corporation leaders, in order to run away from their responsibilities, have been crying for funds. “With the announcement of the drive, MCDs were assured a special fund of Rs 500 crore by the Urban Development Ministry for achieving the target.
However, no fund has been released so far. The plan is yet to be approved even after giving <g data-gr-id="40">detailed</g> presentation in this regard,” revealed BJP councilors.
The corporation leaders said ever since the launch of <g data-gr-id="29">Swachh</g> Bharat Abhiyan, the MCDs have witnessed a series of strikes by sanitation workers demanding their due wages. The strike had turned the Capital into a huge garbage dump over the past 10 days, posing a serious threat to people’s health.
Official sources said it takes Rs 7-8 lakh to build a toilet block. “Corporations are facing severe financial crisis and so it cannot fulfil the dream of Narendra Modi. If the Centre is not providing <g data-gr-id="38">special</g> package, the <g data-gr-id="36">Swachh</g> Bharat Abhiyan will be a distant dream for the Capital,” said a senior BJP councillor, requesting anonymity.