Continuing the fortnightly campaign of Swachhata Hi Seva which was launched nation-wide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th September 2018, Niuland ADC office organised a mass gathering of its village leaders and officers in collaboration with PHED Niuland Sub Division on 29th September 2018. The chief patron for the programme was Hon’ble minister PHED Shri Jacob Zhimomi. The programme was conducted by the administrative officers under Niuland ADC HQ with the implementation report presented by the PHED. The report highlighted the way forward from 2014 when SBM (G) was launched and has now achieved the target of 100% ODF (Open Defecation Free) by constructing 7618 toilets since then. The way forward from here in will be sustained through CAS (Community Approach to Sanitation) method which has been found to be an effective tool with huge success rates for ODF districts or states in the country. Instead of outside forces, local leaders will facilitate the behavioral change by involving the public to share their ideas and benefits of adopting good sanitation practices. This was earlier initiated on 24th September 2018 by launching the ‘Swachagrahis' or foot soldiers to propagate the message of sanitation by the department where 180 trained Swachagrahis were sent out.

Under the SBM (G), the department has worked ceaselessly to eliminate open defecation, eradicate manual scavenging, facilitate modern and scientific methods of waste management as well as educating the mass on health and hygiene. In this regard, PHED Dimapur Rural Division has built individual household toilets, community sanitary complexes, kilns and chimneys to burn wastes, drains to manage liquid waste and stationing dustbins in many villages under it. The chief patron lauded the department for its efforts during trying times and also for achieving the target before 2nd October 2019 which is the nation’s target to declare India as ODF. He further added that development is not just about concrete structures but a civilized lifestyle where good sanitation practices become a part of our living.

The Hon’ble Minister also took part in the Campaign of Mass Social Work SWACHHATA HI SEVA at City Tower, Dimapur which was kickstarted by Deputy Commissioner Dimapur Sushil Kumar Patel in line with the Mass Social Work Campaign.