Having obtained the Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification in 2017, Tiruchi Corporation (TCC) is now focussing on getting Open Defecation Free + and Open Defecation Free ++ certifications from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
As per ODF protocol, a city or ward can be notified as ODF if there is no open defecation at any point of the day in the city. After the self-declaration made by Tiruchi Corporation, the Ministry sent an expert team to verify the claim and subsequently issued a certificate in 2017.
Besides fulfilling the conditions laid in the ODF protocol, a city can be notified as ODF + if it ensures that all community and public toilets are functional and properly maintained.
Senior officials of Tiruchi Corporation say the city is well ahead of ODF + requirements and almost fulfilled the ODF ++ protocol. ODF ++ certification is give if the city has an efficient faecal management system without dumping untreated faecal sludge in drains, water bodies and open areas.
Officials claim that the city has 450 public toilets and sanitary complexes. A majority of them are located in urban slums and semi urban slums, thereby providing access to those living in congested environment.
Nearly 40% of public toilets are connected with underground drainage system. There has been an efficient system to emptying faecal sludge, transportation, treatment and safe disposal.
Corporation Commissioner N. Ravichandran told The Hindu that though there might be some issues in total and sustainable sanitation, the city had the basic infrastructure to be declared as Open Defecation Free ++. It had drawn up an action plan to meet all requirements for the certification.
The civic body had applied for ODF + certification. It had made all public toilets and sanitary complexes functional and well maintained.
As per the protocol for ODF +, at least 10 % of public toilets should have ramps, hand wash and sanitary napkins. The condition had been fulfilled.
He said a third party expert team deputed by the MoHUA would visit the city soon to get first-hand inputs and to verify the claims and expressed confidence that the city would get ODF + certification.
Mr. Ravichandran said it had also submitted a proposal for ODF++ certification. Once it received the ODF+ certification, the proposal would be updated.
