Andhra Pradesh is set to become the first state in the country to make all of its urban areas ‘Open Defecation Free’ by October 2 this year, marking the two years of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission by prime minister Narendra Modi.

Rajiv Gauba, secretary (urban development) reviewed the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission in all the 110 municipalities of Andhra Pradesh during his visit to Visakhapatnam, said a press release from the urban development ministry.

Gauba went to the port city for review of progress of urban missions like Smart city Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Swachh Bharat Mission.

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As against the mission target of construction of 1,94,336 individual household toilets in urban areas of Andhra Pradesh, work has started in respect of 1,53,779 and construction of 1,04,732 toilets has already been completed.

In addition to the central assistance of Rs.4,000 per toilet, Andhra Pradesh Government is extending assistance of an additional Rs.11,000 per toilet giving a big boost for the programme.

Regarding Community and Public Toilet seats, as against the mission target of 4,614 seats, work has started on 3,887 seats and 1,952 seats have already been constructed.

In respect of Solid Waste Management, out of the total wards of 3,458 in 110 municipalities, 100 percent door-to-door collection and transportation of such waste is being done in 3,072 wards i.e 89 percent of total urban wards in the state.

The state governments has also awarded works for construction of 10 Waste to Energy Plants for generating 63 MW of power from the 6,440 tonnes of municipal waste being generated per day in the state.