KOZHIKODE: All the 70 grama panchayats in Kozhikode have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). The administration constructed 12,799 toilets here.
It is the third district in the state to do so after Thrissur and Kannur. In Thrissur however, only 3,002 toilets had to be constructed whereas in Kannur it was 7,182. Kozhikode District Panchayat President Babu Paraserry declared ODF status at a function held on Sunday at Civil Station.
However the Corporation and the Municipalities in the district have not yet completed the construction of toilets as the deadline for urban bodies is on March 31. In urban local bodies in the district 2,791 toilets, 1,505 of them in Corporation limits, have to be constructed. The role of private institutions and voluntary organisations were also instrumental in equipping all panchayats with toilets.
Institutions like Matha Amritanandamayi Math, Malabar Gold, Chemmannur Jewellers, Faizal Shabana Foundation and VKC group have agreed to bear the additional cost of toilet construction beyond Rs 15,400 given by the civic body and Suchitwa Mission. Nearly 500 beneficiaries, a majority from tribal areas benefited. Voluntary organisations like National Service Scheme also contributed to the constriction of toilets in inaccessible areas. Meanwhile all the grama panchayats in Kasargod would declare ODF on October 10 and Wayanad and Malappuram on October 15.
