Over 53627 household toilets, 1108 community toilets constructed in Meghalaya: Marcuise

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 10, 2024

Meghalaya has achieved 78.5% in the construction of toilets till date.

“Till date, the state has the coverage of 53627 individual household latrines and 1108 community sanitary complex units across the state. In terms of percentage, we have achieved 78.5% in construction of toilets,” PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak told reporters on Tuesday, which marked the closing of the “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman”.

He said that the Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman was launched on November 19, 2024 with the objective to call attention to the need for functionality of toilets both individual or household toilets and community toilets.

“The campaign ends today (December 10, 2024), the day observed internationally as Human Rights Day because all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, that’s the basic thing.

This actually our target is that the sustainable development goals is achieving access to adequate equitable sanitations, hygiene for all, ending open defecation, while paying special attention to the needs of women and girls, and those in vulnerable situations worldwide,” Marak said while adding that the campaign emphasizes the significant of sanitation as a cornerstone of dignity, health and well being for every individual.

The minister further informed that the department has received over 14.80 lakh applications for construction of individual household latrines.

“Out of this, we have sanctioned funds for construction of 87,184 individual toilets in the different villages at a cost of Rs 12,000 each,” he said.

Marak has also reviewed the implementation of the mission in the state and said, “I have made it clear that the department should make sure all toilets both individual and community toilets, should be functional.”

According to him, the state has also achieved 83.81% in terms of open defecation free (ODF) plus status.

Asked, the minister said land issue is one of the challenges faced while implementing the mission.

“Therefore, I request our rangbah shnong, nokmas, dolois to cooperate with the government in the creation of such assets so that we can achieve 100 percent construction of toilets in the state,” he added.