EDMC seeks to make its area open defecation-free by October 2

New Delhi: The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has stepped up its sanitation drive to make the areas under it open defecation-free (ODF) by October 2.

"Principals of all EDMC schools have been sensitised on the importance of ODF. Various teams have been constituted to visit the schools to sensitise teachers, staff and students," the civic body said in a statement on Thursday.

Similarly, RWAs, NGOs, self-help groups, market associations and ward councillors are also being oriented regarding the idea of ODF.

"Accordingly, 61 councillors have already declared their wards ODF," the EDMC said.

The civic body has 64 wards under its jurisdiction.

Municipal Commissioner Mohanjeet Singh said the civic body has required number of community toilets within a distance of 500 metres from residences that do not have individual household toilets.

"Critical areas from ODF point of view have been identified and strict vigil is being insured. Civil defence volunteers are being deployed to educate and prevent people from defecating in the open," he said.

Singh said an intensive awareness campaign was being carried out in EDMC areas including through radio jingles, posters and banners.

The BJP-led EDMC had incidentally fared poorly in the last Swachhta Survey.

The Centre under its ambitious Swachh Bharat campaign seeks to make the entire country open defecation-free by October 2, 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.