Hyderabad declared as open defecation free (ODF) city

Hyderabad, Jan 03: The Greater Hyderabad was declared an open defecation free (ODF) city by the Centre on Tuesday.

The Swachh Bharat Mission Directorate of the Ministry of Urban Development has also declared six other ULBs Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC), Miryalguda, Jangoan, Bellampally, Mancherial and Sadashivpet as ODF. The certificates would be awarded to ULBs shortly.

The Centre issues Swachh certificates to the cities based on recommendations by a third party Quality Council of India, which conducted an inspection last week. Thanks to the tag, 110 marks would be added in the Swachh Survekshan 2018 that is to be held shortly.

This will be a big boost in the ranking of these cities in Telangana. The tag, however, is valid only for six months after which a recertification process happens to ensure there is no slippage in the maintenance of hygiene.

GHMC Mayor Bonthu Rammohan expressed happiness over Hyderabad being recognised as ODF. He claimed this was possible only because of the efforts of minister KT Rama Rao, "who is striving hard to make Hyderabad a global city." Apart from Mumbai, Hyderabad is the only city with over Rs.1 crore population to be accorded the ODF status.