Kerala set to become open defecation-free

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is set to become the second open defecation-free (ODF) state in the country after Sikkim. The left front government is planning to rope

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is set to become the second open defecation-free (ODF) state in the country after Sikkim. The left front government is planning to rope in Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a formal announcement on November 1, the state’s foundation day.

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The state Suchitwa Mission, the nodal agency responsible for implementing the sanitation programme in the state, said two districts — Kannur and Thrissur— will be announced ODF on October 2 and work is in full swing to cover other districts by November 1. With one toilet costing Rs 15,400 the total outlay for the project is `350 crore.

At least 1.90 lakh toilets are being constructed across 941 panchayats to achieve this feat. Since more than 80% of houses in the state have constructed toilets, the task is to cover remote and isolated areas.

“We will complete our task by November 1. Though we are facing some challenges in Idukki and Wayanad districts due to remoteness of the area work is in full swing in other districts,” said Dr Vasuki, mission director, Suchitwa.

Conceived on the lines of the PM’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ model, the state showcased its ODF programme last year.