Udupi, six other districts to be declared open defecation-free on Oct 2

Udupi, Sep 26: Coastal district of Udupi will be declared open defecation-free' on this Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) along with six other districts in Karnataka, said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the one-day sports fest for people's representatives of rural and urban local bodies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, the minister said that Karnataka has taken resolute measures to be declared open defecation-free by October 2018.

“Fifty-five lakh toilets were pending for construction in the past three years. The target was planned accordingly and the annual schedule was put forth. Already, 25 lakh toilets are built, while the target for the current year is another 12 lakh toilets,” said Patil, adding that the review on the progress would be held in December and the target plans would be designed as per requirements.

“Besides, the state government prefers bathrooms along with the toilets and has already suggested this at the working sub-groups of chief ministers appointed by the prime minister. The installation of even western type of toilets has been enabled in rural areas for the aged and physically handicap, especially in the North Karnataka region, where fluoride content in water has resulted in bone and joint problems. In addition, mobile and community toilets are under consideration for migrated populace,” said the minister.

He added that nearly 26 taluks and more than 1,000 gram panchayats would be declared open defecation-free, as the social auditing and physical verification has been completed.