The union cabinet has approved the continuation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) till 2025-26 for sustainable outcomes. The government will spend around Rs 1,41,600 crore for the mission, which is 2.5 times more than the first phase of the mission.

"The Swachh Bharat mission will focus on sustainability of Open Defecation Free outcomes, achieving scientific processing of Solid Waste in all cities, and managing Wastewater in cities with less than 1 lakh population in Census 2011 under which all cities will be made to achieve at least 3-star garbage free certification," said a statement on Tuesday. It will focus on ensuring complete access to sanitation facilities to serve additional population migrating from rural to urban areas in search of employment and better opportunities over the next five years. This will be done through the construction of over 3.5 lakh individual, community and public toilets," the official statement mentioned under 'sustainable sanitation'.

A financial expenditure of Rs 1,41,600 crore has been finalized for SBM-U 2.0, including central share of Rs 36,465 for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 which is over 2.5 times the financial outlay of Rs 62,009 crores in the last phase of the Mission, the statement added. The implementation of the Mission components will be done in a structured and time-bound manner, with a thorough gap analysis of required infrastructure, detailed 5-year action plans, and annual action plans with timelines.

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