Andaman and Nicobar Islands become India's first Swachh Sujal Pradesh

Union Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat declared Andaman and Nicobar Islands as India’s first Swachh Sujal Pradesh. With this accomplishment, all villages on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have received the Har Ghar Jal certification and have been verified as ODF plus open defecation free. Safe and secure drinking water supply and its management is a crucial aspect of the Sujal and Swachh.

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There are namely three important components of Sujal and Swachh state:

(i) safe and secure drinking water supply and management;
(ii) ODF Plus: ODF Sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) and
(iii) cross-cutting interventions like convergence, IEC, action planning, etc

Key points:

On A&N Island, there are 62,000 rural households spread across 266 villages in 9 blocks across three districts. The UT has given piped water supply to all 368 schools, 558 Anganwadi centres, and 292 public institution centres.
Andaman and Nicobar Island which is remotely located from the mainland has become a source of inspiration for the rest of the states and Union Territories of India.
On World Water Day, 22 March 2021, Andaman and Nicobar Islands were declared to have achieved 100% coverage of rural households with tap water connection. It became the third State/UT in the country to achieve 100% coverage of rural households with tap water supply after Goa and Telangana.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: