Unveiling of the LHI Phase 1 Report 

In 2022, India Sanitation Coalition along with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti and selected Corporates and implementation partners embarked on an ambitious project under the purview of the SBM 2.0 guidelines to ensure that the proper solid and liquid waste management solutions (SLWM) are implemented across rural India. Phase 1 of the project called the Light House Initiative was implemented in 75 Gram Panchayats (GP), spanning over 44 districts and 15 states to support these GPs in achieve ODF Plus (Model) status and becoming Light Houses. The primary objective of the project was to create “Lighthouse GPs” across rural blocks in the shortlisted districts. These lighthouses could then act as

models for other villages/GPs in motivating them to achieve the same standards of efficiency and effectiveness with regard to the SLWM arrangements. By Februray 2024, Phase 1 of the project successfully saw 57 of the 75 GPs becoming ODF Plus Model, and 30 GPs attaining Light House status.

 

To document the amazing and unique journeys of these GPs in their way to becoming Light Houses an LHI Phase 1 report was unveiled by Ms. Vini Mahajan, Secretary, DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti. At the unveiling Ms. Mahajan also announced the launch of Phase 2 of the initiative which is expected to be even more ambitious with an expansion in the project’s reach, stakeholders and partners. The occasion was graced by Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, Chair, ISC; Shri Jitendra Srivastava, Joint Secretary and Mission Director (SBM- G), DDWS; Ms. Swapna Devi Reddy, Dy Secretary, DDWS; Ms. Natasha Patel, CEO, ISC;

Dr. Sanjeev Shekhar Jha, Director, ISC; State Mission Directors and Corporate partners.