Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – A Detailed Overview

1. Introduction

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), also known as the Clean India Mission, is a national cleanliness campaign launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2014, to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. The mission aims to achieve a cleaner and healthier India by eliminating open defecation, improving solid waste management, and promoting hygiene awareness.

SBM is one of the largest sanitation initiatives in the world, involving active participation from citizens, government bodies, private organizations, and NGOs. It is implemented in two broad categories:

  1. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) – SBM-U (For cities and towns)
  2. Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) – SBM-G (For rural areas)

2. Objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission

The primary goals of SBM include:

  1. Eliminating Open Defecation (ODF) – Ensuring access to toilets for all households.
  2. Eradicating Manual Scavenging – Promoting mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
  3. Solid Waste Management – Implementing scientific waste collection, segregation, and disposal.
  4. Behavioral Change – Encouraging cleanliness and hygiene through awareness campaigns.
  5. Water and Sanitation (WASH) Infrastructure – Promoting safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.
  6. Sustainable Urban and Rural Cleanliness – Ensuring long-term cleanliness through continuous efforts.

3. Phases of Swachh Bharat Mission

a. SBM Phase 1 (2014-2019)

  • Focused on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
  • Construction of over 10 crore (100 million) individual household toilets.
  • Construction of community and public toilets in urban areas.
  • Introduction of door-to-door garbage collection in cities.
  • Encouraged behavioral change through campaigns like “Darwaza Band” and “Swachh Survekshan”.

b. SBM Phase 2 (2020-2026)

  • Focus on sustainable solid and liquid waste management.
  • Ensuring ODF+ (ODF Plus) and ODF++ status, meaning proper toilet maintenance and wastewater treatment.
  • Strengthening plastic waste management and scientific landfill disposal.
  • Promoting the circular economy through waste-to-energy and composting projects.
  • Encouraging private sector participation and funding.

4. Components of Swachh Bharat Mission

a. Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status

  • ODF: No person defecates in open spaces.
  • ODF+: Toilets are properly maintained, and waste is scientifically treated.
  • ODF++: Advanced wastewater treatment and sustainable sanitation systems.

b. Waste Management (Solid and Liquid Waste)

  • Door-to-door waste collection and proper segregation (wet, dry, hazardous waste).
  • Recycling and composting initiatives.
  • Waste-to-energy plants to convert waste into electricity or bio-CNG.
  • Scientific landfill management to prevent soil and water pollution.

c. Behavioral Change Campaigns

  • Swachh Survekshan: Annual cleanliness rankings of cities and towns.
  • Gandagi Mukt Bharat (GMB): Encourages public participation in cleanliness drives.
  • Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan: Ensuring clean school toilets and sanitation facilities.
  • Swachh Bharat Internship: Engaging youth in cleanliness awareness programs.

5. Implementation and Funding

a. Funding Structure

  • Total Budget (Phase 1): ₹1.96 lakh crore (~$26 billion).
  • Phase 2 Budget (2020-2026): ₹1.41 lakh crore (~$18.8 billion).
  • Contribution from Central & State Governments:
    • Urban Areas: 50:50 (Central:State) funding.
    • Rural Areas: 60:40 for most states and 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states.
  • Private Sector Participation through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives.
  • World Bank and Other International Funding for sanitation projects.

b. Execution Strategy

  • Gram Panchayats (Rural) and Municipal Corporations (Urban) are responsible for execution.
  • Citizen engagement through social media, NGOs, and volunteers (Swachhagrahis).
  • Regular monitoring through digital dashboards and real-time tracking.

6. Achievements of Swachh Bharat Mission

a. Success in Open Defecation Free (ODF) India

  • 100% ODF status achieved in rural areas (2019).
  • Over 11 crore (110 million) toilets constructed.
  • 600,000+ villages and 4,000+ towns declared ODF.

b. Urban Cleanliness and Waste Management

  • Over 80% of urban waste is now scientifically managed (from ~20% in 2014).
  • Over 4,500 cities have door-to-door garbage collection services.
  • Several cities have implemented zero landfill policies.

c. Swachh Survekshan Rankings

  • Indore (Madhya Pradesh) has been ranked India’s cleanest city for 7 consecutive years.
  • Cities like Surat, Navi Mumbai, and Mysuru have also consistently performed well.

d. Behavioral Change and Awareness

  • Mass participation in Swachh Bharat campaigns (over 100 million people involved).
  • Increase in handwashing and hygiene practices, reducing disease outbreaks.

7. Challenges in Implementation

a. Sustainability Issues

  • Ensuring long-term toilet usage and maintenance.
  • Preventing the return of open defecation in rural areas.

b. Waste Segregation and Recycling

  • Many cities still face challenges in segregating waste at the source.
  • Lack of scientific landfill sites and composting plants.

c. Funding and Infrastructure Gaps

  • Insufficient funds for advanced waste treatment plants.
  • Delays in government approvals for new projects.

d. Behavioral and Cultural Barriers

  • Some communities still resist using toilets due to traditional beliefs.
  • Low awareness about waste segregation and recycling.

8. Future Roadmap (SBM 2026 and Beyond)

a. Focus on Waste Management

  • 100% door-to-door waste collection in all urban areas.
  • Expansion of waste-to-energy plants for sustainable waste disposal.

b. Smart Toilets and Technology Integration

  • IoT-based smart toilets with real-time monitoring.
  • Encouraging bio-toilets and waterless sanitation technologies.

c. Circular Economy Approach

  • Recycling plastic waste to manufacture construction materials.
  • Using treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial purposes.

d. Strengthening Public Participation

  • More citizen-driven cleanliness drives.
  • Expanding Swachh Bharat Ambassadors program to engage youth and influencers.

9. Conclusion

The Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed India’s sanitation landscape by significantly reducing open defecation and improving waste management. While challenges remain in sustainability, waste segregation, and infrastructure, the ongoing Phase 2 (2020-2026) aims to build on previous successes by promoting scientific waste disposal, advanced sanitation technologies, and behavioral change initiatives.

By 2026, India aspires to become “Garbage-Free” and achieve 100% sustainable waste management, making SBM one of the most impactful social initiatives in India’s history.