The Centre has asked states to implement scalable and safe sanitation models under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), stressing the need to strengthen sewage and faecal sludge treatment systems amid growing public health concerns. The advisory comes in the wake of at least 10 deaths in Indore that were linked to sewage-contaminated drinking water.

The direction was issued during a recent review meeting chaired by Union jal shakti minister C R Patil. The meeting was attended by district collectors, CEOs of zilla panchayats, state mission directors and representatives of self-help groups, officials said.

According to an official familiar with the discussions, the Centre emphasised that sanitation efforts must go beyond toilet construction and focus on the entire sanitation value chain — from containment and conveyance of waste to treatment, safe disposal and reuse.

Focus on Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II

Sewage and faecal sludge management form a core part of Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), approved in February 2020 with a total outlay of ₹1.40 lakh crore. The second phase aims to sustain India’s open defecation free (ODF) status achieved under Phase I, while scaling up solid and liquid waste management in rural areas.

The Centre urged states to adopt and adapt successful sanitation models from across the country to ensure efficient treatment systems that protect public health and support environmental goals.

Faecal sludge management, as outlined in SBM guidelines, involves a multi-stage process to ensure liquid waste from households is properly contained, transported, treated and either safely disposed of or reused.

States Share Models and Innovations

During the review, representatives from Gujarat, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Ladakh and Tripura shared field-level experiences and showcased different models, including in-situ treatment systems, community-based solutions and measures to ensure long-term sustainability of treatment plants.

A “notable example,” officials said, came from Odisha’s Khordha district, where a transgender-led self-help group manages the operation and maintenance of a faecal sludge treatment plant — highlighting both inclusivity and sustainability.

Link to Global Goals

Officials noted that the Swachh Bharat Mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6, which focuses on access to safe sanitation and reducing untreated wastewater.

“Sanitation targets under SDG 6 can only be achieved if the focus expands from mere access to toilets to the full sanitation cycle — access, conveyance, treatment and reuse,” an official said.

The Centre’s renewed push signals a shift toward public health–centric sanitation planning, especially as incidents like the Indore contamination underline the risks of untreated sewage entering drinking water systems.