Kochi, Piravom lag behind in open defecation free status

KOCHI: While all other municipalities have attained the open defecation-free status, Kochi corporation and Piravom municipality still lag behind in implementing the scheme. The State Suchitwa Mission authorities have instructed the two civic bodies to finish the project before the first anniversary of the LDF government.   “The project is in the final stage of implementation in Piravom with only three or four toilets remaining to be constructed while the Kochi corporation needs to hasten construction and renovation of toilets to achieve the status within the stipulated time schedule,” said  Suchitwa Mission sources.

Meanwhile, the corporation authorities said that the project can be completed by May. “We have received more than 3,000 applications of which 1950 beneficiaries have been selected. The construction of toilets is on with works completed  in 36 divisions. Though there is demand for conducting a resurvey to identify more deserving persons, it is not possible as the deadline has already passed,” said V.K. Minimol, health committee chairperson.

According to the corporation authorities, it is the survey to identify beneficiaries that delayed the process as the initial list had several people who already had  toilets. Koothattukulam was declared as the first open defecation-free municipality in the district in October last year, which was followed by Maradu and other municipal corporations.  All grama panchayats in the district had earlier achieved the ODF tag.