SHILLONG, NOV 19: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak on Tuesday reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving sanitation in Meghalaya, even as the state has already achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. The Minister assured that all non-functional toilets along the National Highway will be made operational.
Speaking to the media after launching the “Hamara Shauchalay, Hamara Samman” campaign on World Toilet Day, Marak stated, “While Meghalaya is already an open defecation free state, we are trying our level best in achieving the Open Defecation Free Plus status.”
When asked about the frequently locked makeshift toilets along the highway, the Minister responded, “We will check it. If some of the toilets are non-functional, we will make sure that it is functional.”
Marak emphasized that the campaign aims to create awareness about the importance of toilets and their significant impact on public health and education.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, the Minister said, “We have already constructed many community sanitary latrines. Today, I have gone to two places to inspect personally by myself to see whether they are functioning or not. So they are functioning and being used by the public.”