The Tamil Nadu State government has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% sanitation coverage by establishing fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) in all village and town panchayats as well as municipalities. D. Karthikeyan, Municipal Administration, and Water Supply Secretary, announced this initiative, stating that District Collectors are actively identifying suitable lands for the construction of these essential facilities.
As part of the sanitation project, mapping has been conducted to identify garbage processing sites and FSTPs, with 50% of the lands already identified. Out of the 51 proposed FSTPs, 31 are currently operational. The State emphasizes the importance of preventing unauthorized dumping of fecal sludge into waterbodies, employing measures such as GPS tracking of sewage trucks, and establishing a helpline (14420) for residents to report such incidents.
The workshop organized by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation highlighted the State’s commitment to sustainable sanitation practices, showcasing successful initiatives in Tiruchi Corporation and fostering collaboration among departments and stakeholders for effective implementation.