• The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was executed in two distinct phases. The first phase was carried out until October 2019, while the second phase spanned from 2020-21 to 2024-25. The objectives of these phases were anchored in completing the groundwork laid in Phase 1.
• The paramount goal of the mission was to achieve an open defecation-free (ODF) India by October 2, 2019, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Over this period, approximately 89.9 million toilets were estimated to have been constructed. The inaugural phase aimed at not only eradicating the practice of manual scavenging but also fostering awareness and transforming behavioral norms related to proper sanitation practices. Furthermore, it aimed to enhance local-level capacities.
• The subsequent phase of the mission, Phase 2, had a twofold focus: promoting the maintenance of an open defecation-free status and enhancing the management of both solid and liquid waste. It also prioritized the improvement of the livelihoods of sanitation workers. The mission aligned itself with Target 6.2 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, established in 2015, which seeks to demonstrate advancements in sanitation. Below we have explained different phases of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Achievements of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

• Open Defecation Free (ODF): Urban India accomplished the monumental feat of becoming open defecation-free. All 4,715 Urban Local Bodies eradicated open defecation.
• ODF+ and ODF++: A total of 3,547 ULBs attained ODF+ status, boasting functional and hygienic community and public toilets. Moreover, 1,191 ULBs achieved ODF++ status, showcasing effective fecal sludge management.
• Water+ Certification: Fourteen cities secured the Water+ certification, emblematic of wastewater treatment and its judicious reuse.
• Waste Processing: Remarkable progress was witnessed in waste processing, surging from 17% in 2014 to an impressive 75% in 2023. Aided by comprehensive door-to-door waste collection in 97% of wards and source segregation practices in nearly 90% of wards across all ULBs.
• Garbage Free Cities (GFC): The GFC-Star rating protocol, launched in January 2018, expanded from 56 cities in its initial year to 445 cities, with an ambitious target of achieving at least 1,000 3-star GFC by October 2024.

Things civil societies can do for Swachh Bharat 

• Civil Societies can take up the task of educating the people of rural India about keeping their surroundings clean
• CS’S could play a role in highlighting the importance of SBM to housewives, shopkeepers and small business owners
• CS’s can also do third party quality checks of infrastructure being created under SBM and also do sample verification on a pre-determined check list
• CS’s could adopt certain areas/colonies and take the responsibility of keeping them clean
• CS’s can set up and monitor waste management systems
• CS’s could work closely with the municipality to execute a daily cleaning plan in the area
• CS’s can make house visits and ensure that people understand proper sanitation and garbage disposal techniques
• CS’s could help in building toilets in rural areas
• CS’s can be assigned the task of building and maintaining public toilets
• They could also visit schools to teach the kids the importance of cleanliness in their daily lives
• CS’s dealing with heath care delivery could have a tremendous role in the area of personal hygiene, optimum use of potable water, basic sanitation etc.
• CS’s can ensure people’s participation in Swachh Bharat and put pressure on ULBs to act
• CS’s can be authorized to collect money from houses and use it to arrange for segregation and separation of waste
• CS’s can submit survey reports on Swachh Bharat Mission, they may be allocated areas to carry out surveys independently substantiated with videos and pictures on the basis of MOUs between the NGO and the monitoring authority
• CS’s can also facilitate workshops on how to recycle and reuse non-biodegradable wastes into livelihood programmes
• CS’s can be asked to put-up small-scale units for collecting garbage and sorting it into different components for processing
• CS’s can also be given access to the Swachh Bharat city local circles to share community initiatives with citizens and mobilize citizens to help where necessary
• CS’s should be allowed funding for cleanliness drives and other Swachh Bharat related activities
• Certain CS’s can also conduct research on specific areas to scientifically dispose wastes, improved toilets, improved composting processes etc.
• CS’s can help societies, colonies setting up unit for decomposing wet waste, water harvesting etc.