Standardised Protocols

Prior to the launch of SBM-U in 2014, there were no standard guidelines to assess Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) on aspects of sanitation and solid waste management. Cities and States had varying definitions and criteria for sanitation and Solid Waste Management. There was a need to set certain protocols and standards or benchmarks for standardizing “processes and outcomes” to ensure sustainable results.

MoHUA has introduced several protocols since 2016 which include ODF, ODF+, ODF++, Water+ and Star Rating Protocol for Garbage Free Cities to ensure standardized outcomes in sanitation and solid waste management across Urban India under SBM-U. These protocols have provided a standard uniform framework to evaluate cities on ‘Swachhata’ criteria and is acting as a guiding document for cities.

The standardized protocols and their rigorous implementation has ensured that better living environment with clean surroundings are offered to citizens. The Protocols have resulted in complete standardization and consistency of toilet coverage and access, faecal sludge management, wastewater management, and Solid Waste Management (SWM) outcomes achieved under the Mission. These protocols are continuously updated to reflect the dynamic and evolving on-ground realities of cities. With cities incrementally improving their performance, stringent parameters are incorporated to help them strengthen their service delivery towards citizens. Over the next five years, all cities of Urban India will be certified ODF+ and at least 3 Star Garbage Free rated, and all cities with less than 1 lakh population will be certified ODF++. Additionally, 50% of cities with less than 1 lakh population will be Water+ certified.