Shillong, Dec 10: Meghalaya’s Minister in-charge of PHE, Marcuise N. Marak, announced on Tuesday that the state has achieved 78.59% progress in building both individual and community toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBMG). Speaking at a press conference in Shillong, organized to mark the conclusion of the “Hamara Swachalay Hamara Saman” campaign, he highlighted the department’s accomplishments and ongoing efforts.
“Out of 1,48,102 applications received for individual household latrines, the PHE department has sanctioned 87,184 toilets. Till date, the state has completed 53,627 individual household latrines and 1,108 community sanitary complexes across Meghalaya,” Marak stated.
The campaign, launched on November 19, 2024, concluded on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. “This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring access to equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, with a focus on the needs of women, girls, and vulnerable communities. It reflects our vision of providing safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for everyone,” he added.
Marak emphasized the importance of ensuring all constructed toilets are functional. “I have instructed district-level officials to ensure that both individual and community toilets in rural areas are equipped with water and are fully operational. The government has provided ₹12,000 per toilet for construction,” he said.
When asked about achieving 100% coverage, he acknowledged the challenges. “We are trying our best. Our staff is working on the ground, but issues such as land availability in certain localities pose significant hurdles,” he explained.
Regarding the functionality of public toilets, Marak noted, “We have directed district deputy commissioners to monitor and ensure that public toilets are operational.”
The Minister also reported that the state has achieved 83.81% in open defecation-free plus (ODF+) status, further highlighting Meghalaya’s progress in sanitation and hygiene.