Toilets for all in India possible in three years: Sulabh founder
Bindeshwar Pathak, sanitation expert and founder of the prominent NGO Sulabh International, believes it is possible to provide toilets for all citizens across India in three years, but ministers need to focus and carry forward the commitment to deliver it.
Pathak, who was in London for a conference on India’s smart cities, told HT on Thursday evening the bureaucracy could not be expected to lead, but to follow directives of ministers to implement such a massive project.
“The leadership and clarity is there at the top from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this important issue, but ministers responsible for delivering need the vision to take it forward, and not expect the bureaucracy to lead the drive," Pathak, 73, said.
Presenting figures of the all- India challenge, Pathak said 120 million toilets can be constructed in three years with a budget of ₹3.6 lakh crore (each toilet costing ₹30,000, inclusive of cost escalation).
Besides subsidy from the government, potential sources for funding include corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets of thousands of Indian companies, non-resident Indians, bank loans and contribution from beneficiaries.
“It will not only provide employment in our 2.51 lakh panchayats and 6.46 lakh villages, but also ensure the sustained maintenance of toilets,” he said.