Totally Sanitized Towns

The concept of Totally Sanitized Towns (TSTs) refers to urban settlements that have achieved a comprehensive and sustainable level of sanitation and hygiene, ensuring a clean, healthy, and safe environment for all residents. It signifies the complete elimination of open defecation, effective management of solid and liquid waste, access to safe drinking water, and maintenance of public hygiene across the entire urban area.
The idea is closely linked with India’s National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) and the broader goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), aiming to create livable, environmentally sustainable, and health-secure urban communities.

Background and Evolution

The concept of Totally Sanitized Towns was introduced under the National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP), 2008, formulated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India. The policy was designed to address the growing challenges of urban sanitation, pollution, and health risks arising from inadequate waste management systems.
The NUSP set an aspirational vision of making “All Indian cities and towns totally sanitized, healthy, and livable” by ensuring equitable access to sanitation facilities and proper environmental management.
The term Totally Sanitized Town therefore represents the end goal of the sanitation ladder in urban areas—a stage where sanitation systems function effectively, sustainably, and inclusively.

Objectives of Totally Sanitized Towns

The central objectives behind promoting Totally Sanitized Towns are:

• To ensure universal access to sanitation facilities for all urban residents.
• To eliminate open defecation and unsafe sanitation practices.
• To establish scientifically managed waste systems, including solid and liquid waste.
• To maintain hygienic surroundings, clean streets, and public spaces.
• To safeguard public health by reducing the spread of water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
• To strengthen community participation and behavioural change towards hygiene.
• To achieve environmental sustainability through resource recovery, recycling, and pollution control.

Components of a Totally Sanitized Town

A Totally Sanitized Town encompasses a holistic sanitation framework, covering all aspects of urban cleanliness and hygiene management. The major components include:

1. Household and Community Sanitation:
   • 100% access to safe and functional toilets in all households, slums, schools, and public places.
   • Proper operation and maintenance of toilet infrastructure.
2. Solid Waste Management (SWM):
   • 100% collection, segregation, transportation, and scientific disposal of waste.
   • Promotion of waste reduction, recycling, and composting.
3. Liquid Waste and Sewage Management:
   • Coverage of sewerage systems or safe on-site sanitation systems.
   • Effective treatment and disposal of wastewater to prevent pollution.
4. Stormwater and Drainage Management:
   • Maintenance of proper drainage systems to avoid waterlogging and contamination.
5. Public and Environmental Hygiene:
   • Regular cleaning of streets, markets, public toilets, and community spaces.
   • Elimination of unhygienic conditions in urban areas.
6. Safe Drinking Water Supply:
   • Access to potable water for all households, ensuring no contamination through sanitation systems.
7. Institutional Strengthening and Governance:
   • Effective municipal administration, community partnerships, and use of information systems for monitoring.
8. Awareness and Behavioural Change:
   • Continuous campaigns and education to promote hygiene habits and citizen participation.

Criteria for Declaration as a Totally Sanitized Town

A city or town can be declared totally sanitized only when it meets the following essential criteria:

• No Open Defecation: Every individual uses a safe, hygienic sanitation facility.
• Wastewater and Sewage Management: All liquid waste is treated and disposed of safely.
• Solid Waste Management: All waste is segregated, collected, and processed scientifically.
• Clean Environment: No visible litter, overflowing drains, or unhygienic public spaces.
• Public Health Standards: Incidences of sanitation-related diseases are minimal.
• Institutional Mechanisms: Strong urban local bodies with financial and technical capacity for sustained sanitation.
• Community Participation: Active citizen involvement in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.

These standards align with the Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs) for urban sanitation established by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Implementation Mechanism

The implementation of Totally Sanitized Towns is achieved through coordinated efforts involving:

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and maintaining sanitation infrastructure.
• State Governments: Provide policy support, technical assistance, and financial resources.
• Central Government: Offers funding and guidance through schemes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
• Community and NGOs: Encourage local participation, awareness creation, and monitoring.
• Private Sector and PPPs: Support waste management and infrastructure services through public–private partnerships.

Related Initiatives and Linkages

The Totally Sanitized Towns concept is closely integrated with several national programmes and frameworks:

• Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): Focuses on achieving 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF) and ODF+ standards, and scientific waste management.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Enhances urban water supply and sewerage systems.
• National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP): The guiding framework for achieving TST status.
• Smart Cities Mission: Encourages sustainable urban infrastructure with integrated waste management.

Challenges in Achieving Totally Sanitized Town Status

Despite significant progress, many towns face challenges in achieving and maintaining total sanitation:

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited sewerage networks and waste treatment facilities.
• Behavioural Barriers: Persistence of open defecation and poor hygiene practices in some areas.
• Financial Constraints: Insufficient municipal resources for operation and maintenance.
• Institutional Weakness: Limited capacity of local bodies in planning and monitoring.
• Rapid Urbanisation: Expansion of slums and informal settlements outpacing infrastructure development.

Measures for Sustainability

To sustain the status of Totally Sanitized Towns, certain long-term measures are necessary:

• Strengthening urban governance and decentralised management systems.
• Ensuring community ownership of sanitation initiatives.
• Introducing innovative financing models for solid and liquid waste management.
• Integrating climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure.
• Continuous capacity building of municipal staff and local communities.
• Regular monitoring and certification of sanitation performance.

Significance of Totally Sanitized Towns

The Totally Sanitized Town model serves as a benchmark for comprehensive urban sanitation and environmental health. Its significance lies in:

• Public Health Improvement: Reduces the incidence of communicable and water-borne diseases.
• Environmental Protection: Prevents pollution of soil, air, and water resources.
• Enhanced Livability: Creates cleaner, safer, and more attractive urban spaces.
• Socio-Economic Benefits: Improves productivity, tourism, and overall quality of life.
• Empowerment through Participation: Encourages citizens to take responsibility for their environment.

Conclusion

The concept of Totally Sanitized Towns (TSTs) represents an aspirational vision for urban India—where sanitation, hygiene, and environmental management are integrated into everyday urban life. By ensuring universal sanitation coverage, effective waste management, and behavioural transformation, TSTs contribute directly to achieving the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the National Urban Sanitation Policy, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).