In an attempt to encourage people to use public toilets, the Ministry of Urban Development and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Wednesday joined hands to launch a sanitation campaign at Gyan Bharati Public School in Saket.
Changing behaviour
The SDMC said that the ‘Swachh Shauchalaya Campaign’ looks to change people’s behaviour, encourage proper use of public toilets, and generate a sense of responsibility and ownership to ensure that these are treated like facilities at home.
The launch was attended by cricketer Suresh Raina, who is one of the brand ambassadors of the Swachh Bharat Mission, along with Secretary (Ministry of Urban Development) D.S. Mishra, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and south Delhi mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat.
Mr. Raina also launched TV commercials and radio spots to spread the message of keeping public toilets clean.
Mr. Tiwari said the message of keeping public toilets clean was being disseminated through schoolchildren, a move that has the potential to bring real change.
For the SDMC, it is a matter of improving its ranking in the ‘Swachhta Servekshan’ (cleanliness survey) from the present 202 to breaking into the top 50.
According to Mr. Mishra, the Ministry was focusing on eradication of open defecation and source segregation of waste. “Our facilities are not being used because of poor maintenance. People using public toilets must ensure that it remains clean so that the next person can use it with confidence,” he said.
