NGO finds 1000+ defecating in open in ODF++ Ahmedabad

Though the civic authority is celebrating on being awared the 'Cleanest Big City' of the country, the ground reality is far from different. If the report of an NGO to be believed, the city still has open defecation spots.

A survey conducted by city based NGO Human Development and Resource Centre (HDRC) revealed that about 1030 people were still defecating in open. Irony is that the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has received Open Defecation Free++ (ODF++) certificate from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

In a press conference held on Saturday, the NGO put forth their findings of the survey conducted for two months. "Team of four to five volunteers conducted the survey in February 2019. We surveyed 24 slum pockets across city and contacted 7512 families," said Shehnaz of HDRC.

"The respondent shared their many experiences with us. Tthey do not even have basic amenities provided by the local administration," added Shehnaz.

Shehnaz said some of the pockets have community toilets, but those do not have proper drainage or water network. The toilets are not in condition of use.

Resident of Lakshminagar Na Chhapra of Chandkheda locality, Jyotsna Dantani said that she has been facing many issues and health complications because of unavailability of toilet facility. Once she has had a miscarriage too. Another respondent, Komal Pattani, 25, resident of Ghoda camp, Asarva said she met with an accident while defecating in open. At that time she was pregnant and due to injuries, her unborn child couldn't survive.

Resident of Keshvaninagar, Vasna, Dhaniben Solanki, 85, who is physically disabled said there is no toilet in her pocket, hence she has to go in open with the support of two other ladies. "We will verify claims of NGO by tomorrow," said Vijay Nehra, municipal commissioner.

SURVEY RESULTS

Team of 4-5 volunteers surveyed 24 slum pockets across city and contacted 7512 families. Some pockets have community toilets, but do not have proper drainage or water network. The toilets are defunct.