Bhubaneswar: After missing several deadlines, Odisha finally achieved 100 per cent open defecation free (ODF) status, revealed data Wednesday.
As per data uploaded on the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) website, 66,83,148 toilets have been constructed since October 2, 2014, an increase of 86.22 per cent in terms of households with toilets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi October 2, 2014, had announced the SBM for five years. The SBM is aimed at achieving universal sanitation coverage in the country as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.
During the current fiscal 2019-20, a total of 9,34,406 toilets were built in the state.
The data revealed that 46,785 villages coming under 6,801 gram panchayats in 30 districts have been declared ODF.
Notably, Odisha was one of the worst performing state in construction of individual household latrines under the SBM. However, it has successfully achieved the ODF status after failing to meet several deadlines of the Centre.
While the toilet coverage percentage was 13.75 per cent in 2014, it increased to 32.37 per cent in 2015-16. It was 48.73 per cent in 2016-17 and 59.31 per cent in 2017-18.
In 2018-19, the toilet coverage increased to 87.86 per cent, which jumped to 100 per cent this financial year, thus achieving the ODF status.