Jharkhand Faces Setback in Toilet Construction Under Swachh Bharat Mission

Mail News Service

Ranchi: The progress of constructing individual household toilets (IHHL) in Jharkhand under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) Phase-2 has been dismal, with only 5.43 percent of the target completed by December 2024. The target for the financial year 2024-25 was set at 3,99,693 toilets across 32 divisions, but only 21,700 toilets have been constructed so far.

According to a review meeting chaired by the Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Yogendra Prasad, the situation is grim, especially in Palamu division, which had the highest target of constructing 26,639 toilets. However, as of now, only 3554 toilets have been built in the region, representing just 13.34 percent of the target.

Minister Prasad expressed concern over the slow progress, stating, “It is a big challenge to achieve the target in the next three months, and the department needs to expedite the process to ensure the goal is met by the end of the financial year.” The department’s data highlights that Palamu and other regions like Adityapur, Dumka, and Ranchi Poo have performed poorly, with Adityapur completing just 1.50 percent of its target of 6,593 toilets.

Among the 32 divisions, Madhupur division has performed relatively better, with a completion rate of 19.90 percent. However, the overall progress remains far behind the set targets, especially in rural areas, where access to sanitation facilities is still a major concern.

Other regions such as Giridih, Gumla, and Hazaribagh have seen better performance, with construction percentages of 4.64, 4.61, and 3.97, respectively. Despite these efforts, the department is grappling with logistical challenges, including delays in construction and the need for more resources.

Minister Prasad has instructed officials to prioritize the construction of toilets in the coming months to meet the target, emphasizing that no household should be left without a toilet. “We need a concerted effort from all divisions to make up for the lost time and achieve the target by the end of this financial year,” he added.

As the deadline looms, the department’s focus will be on intensifying efforts in underperforming divisions and ensuring that all households, especially in rural and marginalized areas, have access to basic sanitation facilities. The success of this mission is crucial to improving the hygiene and health conditions of residents across Jharkhand.