Two Bhagalpur panchayats set to get ‘open defecation free’ tag

Sabour and Khankitta, situated on the bank of river Ganga, have already been certified by the district authorities as panchayats having toilet in each household. The process of obtaining certificates from state and central governments is likely to start soon.

At least two panchayats in Sabour block of the district are set be declared open defecation-free.

Nearly 1,100 toilets in Sabour and 700 in Khankitta panchayats had been constructed under the Namami Gange project. (File photo for representation)

Sabour and Khankitta, situated on the bank of river Ganga, have already been certified by the district authorities as panchayats having toilet in each household. The process of obtaining certificates from state and central governments is likely to start soon.

Nearly 1,100 toilets in Sabour and 700 in Khankitta panchayats had been constructed under the Namami Gange project.

Read: Task for teachers: Share photos to shame open defecators

At least 10,152 toilets are to be constructed under the project in 56 panchayats of Sabour and Khankitta that are on the bank of Ganga. The district administration plans to take up the construction of toilets simultaneously in all the remaining 54 panchayats from this month.

Deputy development commissioner (DDC) Amit Kumar, who has worked out the execution plan for building toilets, said the beneficiaries would now onwards receive construction materials instead of funds earmarked. “Undertaking construction work by forming clusters is another change that has been decided in the execution plan,” he added.

The DDC said for achieving the target of constructing toilets, the district administration has also decided to rope in members of Jeevika after providing them training. Assistant engineers and junior engineers would also be posted at panchayats to ensure the successful execution of construction plan,” the DDC said.

“The target is to construct all toilets by August 15,” sources said.

Vinod Kumar, district coordinator, PHED, said meetings had already been held with material suppliers and masons.