Awareness most important for cleanliness drive: Naidu

Generation of awareness for behavioural change towards cleanliness and avoidance of open defecation is of foremost importance in the strategy for achieving cleanliness, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Thursday.

Naidu made the comment while briefing state governors on the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official release said.

He made a presentation on the objectives of the mission, physical targets and strategy for ensuring cleanliness in all urban areas of the country by the year 2019. President Pranab Mukherjee was also present during the presentation.

Naidu urged the governors to take a lead in the campaign. They could also review progress of the mission in respective states and Union Territories from time to time and reward best performing urban local bodies, individuals and organisations.

He said that under the Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas, 1.2 crore household toilets and over five lakh public and community toilets are to be built in the next five years at an estimated cost of Rs. 62,009 crore, the release said.