Ismailpur Block in Bhagalpur District Becomes First Block of Bihar to Achieve ODF Plus Model Status

By Avijit Biswas

Bhagalpur: The Ismailpur block in Bhagalpur district of Bihar has become first block of state that has achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) model plus status . As per Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines a block which sustains its ODF status, ensures solid and liquid waste management and is visually clean is entitled for ODF plus status.

Comprised by five panchayats consisting eight revenue villages, Ismailpur has become totally ODF block with every household of the block having access to functional toilet facility. By respective panchayats, all villages of the block have been declared ODF plus.

Now that villages of the block have been declared ODF model plus as per guidelines of Swachh Bharat Mission, the third-party verification concerning the declaration needs to be completed by district/block level authorities within 90 days.

As per available information process has been already initiated at administrative level for third party verification within time period stipulated in guidelines.

Apart from household access to functional toilets, in all schools, anganwadi centers, panchayat buildings access to functional toilets have been ensured in villages of Ismailpur block through construction of separate male and female toilets.

Mechanism have been developed at village level to ensure there is minimal litter and stagnant wastewater and no plastic waste dump at public places. Arrangement of solid and liquid waste management has been developed in villages by establishing four waste disposal units at block level.

For liquid waste disposal total 105 community sock pits, 11 outlet chambers and a junction chamber has been constructed at block level. Display of ODF messages through wall paintings have been also ensured in villages. A workforce of 120 personnel has entrusted responsibility of cleanliness works at block level.

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