NEW DELHI: To make the national capital open defecation free, the AAP government will construct around 17,000 toilets in JJ clusters in the city by March next year at a cost of Rs 150 crore.
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has identified around 211 locations for this purpose.
"There is a shortage of toilets in JJ clusters and the inhabitants prefer to relieve in the open. Keeping this in mind, we have started working on the project and hope that all slums will have toilet facilities by March next year. A grant of Rs 150 crore has been sanctioned for building 17,000 toilets," said a senior government official.
The agency has prepared a database of toilets available in such localities and is actively preparing plans for the construction work. The urinals which are in a bad condition will be renovated in a phased manner, the official said.
"DUSIB has taken permission from DDA, MCD and other agencies concerned. The move is aimed at discouraging slum dwellers from defecating in the open. The toilets will have all facilities," another official said.