The Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G) has attained a significant milestone by designating 50% of India's villages as ODF Plus. This means that these communities have not only gained ODF status but have also installed solid or liquid waste management systems. Over 2.96 lakh villages currently have ODF Plus designation.

Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh have performed the best in terms of the percentage of ODF Plus villages. The minor states of Goa and Sikkim have also performed admirably in this regard. The SBM-G's success can be attributed to the Central Government's allocation of USD10.21 billion since 2014-15, with an additional allocation of USD6.34 billion for 2023-24, which has been used for the construction of sanitation assets, promoting behaviour change, and implementing solid and liquid waste management systems.

The achievement of 50% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone for India as it goes beyond just the construction and use of toilets towards complete cleanliness. Phase II of SBM-G has been designed to sustain the Open Defecation Free Status, Solid Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), GOBARdhan, Information Education and Communication/Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC), and Capacity Building. The programme has had a positive impact on the health and well-being of millions of people across the country.

In terms of Plastic Waste Management, the SBM-G has set up 831 Plastic Waste Management Units and 1,19,449 waste collection and segregation sheds. The plastic waste is cleaned, shredded, baled, and transported for use in road construction and as fuel in cement factories. More than one lakh Gram Panchayats have passed resolutions for a ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP), which is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste in the country.

Overall, the SBM-G has been successful in improving the sanitation and waste management infrastructure in rural India. It has not only achieved Open Defecation Free status but also implemented solid and liquid waste management systems, which is a significant step towards achieving the goal of complete cleanliness. With the allocation of USD6.34 billion for 2023-24, Phase II of SBM-G is expected to continue the good work and further improve the cleanliness situation in rural India.