Nation should devote some time to join cleanliness drive: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the nation to devote their time to join the cleanliness drive under the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' on Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2.

Addressing the nation in the 24th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Prime Minister Modi said, "The citizen of India is becoming cautious about cleanliness. On October 2 this year, everyone can join cleanliness drive by devoting 2-4 hours for it."

He asserted that the people can use the number 1969 to know about progress of Swachh Bharat in their area and for requesting work in their specific areas.

"I request everyone to joins this cleanliness drive and send pictures and videos on 'NarendraModiApp'," he added.

He further informed that Porbandar, Gujarat, the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi will be Open Defecation-Free (ODF) on October 2, adding that Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala is also moving closer to eliminate open defecation system.

Prime Minister Modi said that over 2.48 crores toilets had been built in the rural areas, adding 1.5 crores more toilets will be constructed in the next year.

Building toilets in rural India is one of the prime objectives of Prime Minister Modi's 'Swachh Bharat Mission'. Its main aim is to make India 'open defecation-free' by October 2019 by constructing 12 crore toilets in rural India.

Over 1.09 crore toilets were built across the country in the first 11 months of 2015-16.